DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM
APO San Francisco 96375
13 January 1971
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 119
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
COPAS, ARDIE RA 262947677, SPECIALIST FOUR
Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, APO 962
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date action: |
12 May 70 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Copas distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner aboard an armored personnel carrier during operations near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia. In the early morning hours of 12 May 1970, Specialist Copas's company was suddenly attacked by a large hostile force firing recoilless rifles, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons. After the specialist began returning fire, his armored car was struck by an enemy recoilless round, knocking the specialist to the ground and injuring four American soldiers beside the vehicle. Ignoring his own wounds, the specialist quickly remounted the burning vehicle and commenced firing his machine gun at the belligerents. Braving the hostile fire directed at him and the possible detonation of the mortar rounds inside the track, Specialist Copas maintained a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the foe while the wounded Americans were safely evacuated. Undaunted, he continued to place devastating volleys of fire upon the adversary until he was mortally wounded when another enemy round hit his vehicle. His daring action resulted in the safe evacuation of his comrades and prevented injury or death to fellow Americans. Specialist Four Copas'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, approved 25 July 1963. |
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