Drew Dix
U.S. Army
STAFF SERGEANT DREW D. DIX, UNITED STATES ARMY, Unit Advisor, Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 31 January and 1 February 1968. When two heavily armed Viet Cong battalions attacked the province capital on 31 January 1968, and defenses broke down, Sergeant Dix and a patrol of Vietnamese soldiers were recalled to assist in the defense of Chau Phu. Sergeant Dix successfully rescued a nurse trapped near the center of the city and returned her to the safety of Tactical Operations Center. He then led another force that rescued eight civilian employees trapped in a building under heavy mortal and small arms fire. He returned to the center of the city a third time and was subjected to intense automatic rifle and machine gun fire from a Viet Cong element. He assaulted the building, killing six Viet Cong and rescuing two Filipinos. The following day, Sergeant Dix, of his own volition and disregarding the danger to his life, assembled a 20-man force and under intense enemy fire cleared the Viet Cong out of the hotel, theater, and other buildings within the city. Republic of Vietnam soldiers, inspired by his heroism and success, rallied and began firing upon the assaulting Viet Cong force. Sergeant Dix captured 20 prisoners, including a high ranking Viet Cong official. Sergeant Dix continued his attack and successfully rescued the Deputy Province Chief’s wife and children. Sergeant Dix’s personal heroic actions resulted in 14 confirmed Viet Cong killed in action, and possibly 25 more, the capture of 20 prisoners, and the rescue of 14 U.S. and Free World citizens.For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. Staff Sergeant Dix distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving as a Provincial Reconnaissance Unit advisor. Two heavily armed Viet Cong battalions attacked the Province capital city of Chau Phu resulting in the complete breakdown and fragmentation of the defenses of the city. Staff Sergeant Dix, with a patrol of Vietnamese soldiers, was recalled to assist in the defense of Chau Phu. Learning that a nurse was trapped in a house near the center of the city, Staff Sergeant Dix organized a relief force, successfully rescued the nurse and returned her to the safety of the Tactical Operations Center. Being informed of other trapped civilians within the city, Staff Sergeant Dix voluntarily led another force to rescue eight civilian employees located in a building that was under heavy mortar and small arms fire. Staff Sergeant Dix then returned to the center of the city. Upon approaching a building, he was subjected to intense automatic rifle and machinegun fire from an unknown number of Viet Cong. He personally assaulted the building, killing six Viet Cong, and rescuing to Filipinos. The following day Staff Sergeant Dix, still on his own volition, assembled a twenty-man force, and though under intense enemy fire, cleared the Viet Cong out of the hotel, theater, and other adjacent buildings within the city. During this portion of the attack, Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers, inspired by the heroism and success of Staff Sergeant Dix, rallied and commenced firing upon the Viet Cong. Staff Sergeant Dix captured twenty prisoners, including a high ranking Viet Cong official. He then attacked enemy troops who had entered the residence of the Deputy Province Chief and was successful in rescuing the official"s wife and children. Staff Sergeant Dix"s personal heroic actions resulted in 14 confirmed Viet Cong killed in action and possibly 25 more, the capture of 20 prisoners, 15 weapons, and the rescue of 14 United Stated and free world civilians. The heroism of Staff Sergeant Dix was in the highest traditions, and reflects great credit upon the U.S. Army.
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