Captain BARRY D. GASDEK, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Gasdek distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 September 1968 while commanding an infantry company during a combat sweep near Duong Da. When his unit came under intense enemy fire, Captain Gasdek exposed himself to the hail of bullets to encourage his men, fire his weapon and hurl hand grenades at the aggressors. Informed there was an armored cavalry, troop nearby that could assist him, he took two men and went to direct the armored personnal carriers to the battle site. As he returned with the carriers, they came under accurate small arms and mortar fire which wounded him in the leg. Despite his painful injury, he continued on to his men and organized the evacuation of the wounded to the tracks. Carrying the most seriously injured man on his back, he crawled more than a hundred meters through a muderous barrage to the vehicles and placed him in the medic track. He then returned to his unit to make sure all casualties were evacuated and gather weapons and radios to keep the enemy from capturing them. When one of his radio operators was killed and the other wounded, Captain Gasdek administered first aid to the injured man and carried the radio equipment himself. He next directed helicopter fire ten to twenty-five meters from his position, enabling his men to withdraw and establish a night location. The following morning he led an attack on the enemy, forcing the aggressors from the area. During the engagement he received a shrapnel wound in the back, but again refused evacuation to remain with his troops. Captain Gasdek’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Mr. Gasdek is a life member and resides in Wyoming.