FIRST SERGEANT DONALD L. JOUBERT, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross as a result of his extraordinary heroism while participating in an operation in the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. Numerous attempts by allied forces to take enemy-held Dong Ap Bia Mountain were met with fierce resistance by the well-entrenched adversary. On 20 May 1969, Sergeant Joubert’s company was making a final assault on the enemy’s hill fortifications. Slowed by intense automatic weapons fire and barrages of rocket-propelled grenades, the unit was taking heavy casualties. From the lead ranks, Sergeant Joubert determined which hostile position was obstructing immediate progress. While the platoon laid down suppressive cover fire, he advanced and fired on the position until its resistance was eliminated. Returning to the company, he provided for the evacuation of the wounded and encouraged his troops for continuing the assault. Though wounded at this time by a bursting rocket-propelled grenade, he refused evacuation. When he received word that the company commander had been wounded, he made his way under fire to the rear command platoon and moved it to join with the front elements. The assault on the enemy was now renewed, but progress was again blocked by bunker machine gun fire. Crawling close to the hostile emplacement, Sergeant Joubert hurled fragmentation grenades on the fortification and silenced the deadly fire. Unobstructed, the company then moved on the remaining enemy positions and overtook them. First Sergeant Joubert’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.

1SGT Joubert joined the Legion of Valor in 1970 and resides in Minnesota.