A Note from The Virtual Wall
Delta Company, 2/27th Infantry, lost five men in fighting near the Bo Bo Canal on 19 July 1969, including their Commanding Officer, Captain James Kotrc. Kotrc was a graduate of the U. S. Military Academy, Class of 1964. His actions on 29 July warranted both a posthumous Distinguished Service Cross and a posthumous promotion to Major.
- MAJ James C. Kotrc, Omaha, NE (Dist Svc Cross)
- SFC Stephen D. Gleckler, Salem, OR
- SGT Larry L. Riddle, Minneapolis, MN
- CPL John E. Hisey, Marysville, OH
- SP4 Kris E. Shaw, Rockford, IL
HEADQUARTERS
US ARMY VIETNAM
APO San Francisco
7 October 1969
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 3787
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
James Carl KOTRC, Captain (Infantry)
Company D, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date action: |
29 July 1969 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Carl Kotrc, Captain (Infantry), U.S. 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.
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| Authority: |
By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress.
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