For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Major Rice distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 April 1968 while serving as operations officer of an infantry battalion during an air assault against elements of a reinforced enemy main force battalion in Binh Hung Province. As the friendly battalion and brigade command groups were moving forward to direct the final assault on an enemy bunker complex in the woodline near their landing zone, they came under intense machine gun fire from a concealed enemy position. Major Rice immediately moved out in advance of the command groups and located the enemy position. He called in and directed accurate artillery fire and air strikes upon it, but the emplacement was so well fortified it survived the bombardment. Darkness was rapidly approaching and the enemy position posed a serious threat to the command groups’ extraction. Major Rice decided to assault the bunker. After arranging for covering fire, he rushed approximately two hundred meters across an open field, maneuvered to the rear of the bunker and threw a grenade into the enemy position, killing its occupants and silencing their fire. As his battalion prepared for extraction, three men were discovered to be missing. Major Rice quickly gathered some volunteers to search for them. Braving intense mortar and small arms fire, he located the men and brought them to safety. Major Rice’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.