For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Herrera distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 December 1968 as a radio telephone operator. As Specialist Herrera’s troop moved to assist an infantry unit, it came under intense automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from well- concealed enemy positions. Unable to communicate with several disabled vehicles, he left his armored personnel carrier and braved a hail of bullets to relay orders from the commander. Seeing one of the tracks become mired on a rice paddy dike, Specialist Herrera ran sixty meters through withering hostile fire to help free the vehicle. After going to the carriers on his right flank to insure that they had sufficient smoke markers to call in air strikes, he then neutralized the enemy rocket-propelled grenade positions with a barrage of machine gun fire, and allowed his unit to continue its advance. When the platoon’s mortar track received a direct hit, he brought an injured comrade to the protection of a bomb crater and then went to the medic vehicle to get bandages which he applied to the man’s wounds. Although wounded by shrapnel, Specialist Herrera continued to engage the communists with heavy fire and ran sixty meters to another disabled vehicle, successfully maneuvering it back to safety. Moments later when a tank was hit, he carried a machine gun to a position from which he provided covering fire for the evacuation of the wounded. Specialist Four Herrera’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.