Specialist Four, MICHAEL O. DEMPSEY, United States Army, Company C, 60th Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Division: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations, involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Four Dempsey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 September 1968 as a team leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Can Giuoc, Long An Province. As his company entered a woodline, the point element was suddenly hit by intense automatic weapons fire and one man fell wounded directly in front of an enemy bunker. Immediately volunteering to rescue the casualty, Specialist Dempsey led four comrades toward the hostile emplacement. They were halted by intense automatic weapons fire and entered the woodline to flank the enemy stronghold. Coming upon a second bunker, Specialist Dempsey unhesitatingly charged it and threw a grenade which killed both its occupants. When two more bunkers were spotted, he returned with his team to the platoon’s position and informed his platoon leader of the additional hostile locations. Artillery fire was quickly plotted but could not be employed because of the wounded man’s proximity to the bunkers. With only tall grass to conceal his movement, Specialist Dempsey crawled alone to within a few feet of the communists and found that the man was dead. After returning to his platoon’s position, he came back with a rope which he attached to the dead man’s web gear, enabling his comrades to pull the body to safety. Specialist Four Dempsey’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.

Michael Dempsey’s membership was sponsored in 2005 by his life long friend.