SERGEANT FIRST CLASS HOWARD F. RANKIN, was presented the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his extraordinary heroism on 19 December 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. Early in the morning soon after breaking camp, his company ran into intense automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire coming from a bamboo treeline approximately fifty meters from their position. Seated in the lead track, Sergeant Rankin was thrown from his vehicle along with the other occupants when a grenade exploded closeby. Although he was wounded, he immediately mannded the machine gun and leveled a strafinng fusillade at the enemy. He then checked the condition of his men and insured their medical attention and evacuation. While a comrade applied a tourniquet to his profusely bleeding leg, he continued firing his machine gun until it malfunctioned. Seizing a grenade launcher, he delivered a barrage that killed seven enemy troops. Throughout the action, his only concern was that all wounded personnel be extracted safely and that the enemy be dispersed rapidly. When the foe had been routed and his platoon accounted for, he allowed himself to be medically treated. Staff Sergeant Rankin’s 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.

SFC Rankin joined the Legion of Valor in 1971.