LARRY W. SYKES, Private First Class, United States Army, Battery A, 8th Battalion, 6th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division. For extraordinary heroism in connection with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Sykes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 May 1969 while serving as a cannoneer during the defense of fire Support Base Gela. In the early morning hours the fire base came under a fierce rocket and ground attack. When his emplacement sustained several direct hits which destroyed his howitzer, Private Sykes braved flying shrapnel to aid a fellow soldier downed by hostile fragmentation. Seeing that the enemy had now launched a ground assault on the perimeter, he ran from gun parapet to parapet gathering machine guns and ammunition. He dashed to teh perimeter under heavy fire and distributed several of the weapons to waiting infantrymen. He himself took up a position where the hostile fire was heaviest. For nearly three hours Private Sykes directed friendly fire and steadlfastly resisted enemy attempts to penetrate his sector of the perimeter. Though suffering painful burns to his hand when replacing the barrel of his machine gun, he remained at his weapon and shortly afterward cut down six enemy soldiers in the wire directly to his front. When he had exhausted his supply of ammunition, he again exposed himself to the hail of fire to obtain a grenade launcher which he skillfully employed against further enemy probes. Private First Class Sykes’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Mr. Sykes resides in Louisiana.