According to his citation, he "…played a major part in all phases of the successful relief of the village of Hoai An, which was under heavy enemy attack by two Viet Cong battalions… By his own personal example…, he led the attack… Despite injuries by enemy machine-gun bullets in the back, cheek and nose, he went to the aid of a mortally wounded comrade … and delayed his own evacuation until he could call for additional air strikes and brief the task force commander of the situation."
In accordance with his citation, he "…played a major role in all phases of the successful rescue of the village of Hoai An, which was under intense enemy assault by two Viet Cong battalions… By his own courageous example…, he led the counterattack… Despite injuries from enemy machine-gun fire in the back, cheek, and nose, he went to the aid of a critically wounded comrade … and postponed his own evacuation until he could request additional air support and brief the task force commander of the situation."