James C. Kotrc Distinguished Service Cross citation
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
HAS AWARDED
THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
TO
CAPTAIN (INFANTRY) JAMES CARL KOTRC
UNITED STATES ARMY
FOR
EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) James Carl Kotrc (ASN: OF-101540), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Kotrc distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 July 1969 while commanding an airborne assault mission to reinforce a beleaguered Civilian Defense Group. When his unit began to receive hostile fire after disembarking from helicopters, Captain Kotrc quickly organized his men to sweep toward the enemy positions. As his company closed on the bunkers concealed in a hedgerow at the edge of a rice paddy, he encountered a wounded American advisor to whom he rendered emergency aid. After a medic arrived, Captain Kotrc directed gunship fire on the enemy and then rallied his men to drive the communists from their bunkers. During this valiant maneuver, Captain Kotrc was severely wounded, but he refused medical attention and continued to direct his men in taking a bunker system in a second hedgerow some seventy-five meters beyond the first. Advancing to the enemy emplacement through a barrage of rifle fire, he threw a grenade into the hedgerow. Although his feat succeeded in breaking the enemy stronghold, he was fatally wounded by hostile fire. Captain Kotrc’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Born: 7 June 1940… Home of record: Omaha, Neb…. Graduate of U.S. Military Academy, Class of ’64… Also awarded Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and Soldier’s Medal… Interred at Fort Benning Post Cemetery in Fort Benning, Ga.