COLONEL SIDNEY S. HASZARD, received the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism while a lieutenant colonel commanding the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division on 19-20 March 1967. During a massive Viet Cong attack on a fire support base six kilometers from the base camp near Ap Bau Bang, Colonel Haszard decided that he could best supervise defensive actions from the battlefield itself and started toward the conflict with medics in two armored cavalry assault vehicles. The vehicles were ambushed on the highway soon after they left their base camp. Colonel Haszard immedicately manned a machine gun on his vehicle and ordered his driver to proceed as fast as possible. His effective return fire prevented the insurgents from doing any damage to the vehicles and enabled the small command force to continue toward the battle at high speed. As he entered the perimeter of the friendly force, he found the area infested with Viet Cong who were assualting the unit. Again manning a machine gun, Colonel Haszard directed the two vehicles inot the midst of the battle. Two antitank rounds hit his vehicle, and wounded him. He remained undaunted, steadily firing his machine gun while the other vehicle hooked up tow cables and pulled the disabled carrier into the perimeter. He then went from one armored vehicle to another through the storm of hostile fire ravaging the area to encourage his outnumbered troops and to direct their fire at the enemy. His fearlessness and unshakable calm were a source of inspiration for his men as they seized control and repulsed the Viet Cong after six hours of battle.

COL Haszard had been a member since 1971, and resided in Kentucky.