Presidential Unit Citation – Hour Glass

Award of the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) by the President of the United States of America to the following unit of the Armed Forces of the United States is confirmed in accordance with paragraph 194, AR 672-5-1. The text of the citation, signed by President Richard Nixon, on 18 November 1969, reads as follows:
By Virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, I have today awarded-

THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY)
FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM
TO THE
1ST PLATOON, COMPANY B
4TH BATTALION, 9TH INFANTRY, 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION
UNITED STATES ARMY

The 1st Platoon, Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism in combat operations against a numerically superior hostile force in the republic of Vietnam on 5 January 1968. While conducting a heliborne extraction near the Cambodian border and after the major portion of the company had been withdrawn, the 1st Platoon, Company B was taken under intense mortar, rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire from a well-entrenched enemy adjacent to the pick up zone. Maneuvering quickly into a nearby treeline, the platoon hastily established a perimeter defense using the sparse cover available. Supported by mortar and direct fire, the enemy attacked with a company sized unit from the east, followed shortly thereafter by a human wave assault from another company size unit from the southeast. Friendly artillery was called in to within 5 meters of friendly positions and airstrikes provided vitally needed support. Fighting brilliantly, the platoon witnessed the enemy launch a third attack, this time from the west. Surrounded, the men continued to deny the enemy victory in spite of a diminishing supply of ammunition and an ever increasing number casualties. Individual acts of bravery and superb leadership were numerous. After two and one half hours of intense fighting, the enemy chose to break contact. Though the 1st Platoon with a strength of 31 men suffered seven killed and sixteen wounded, their courageous actions and fierce tenacity caused the enemy to leave 60 of its dead on the battlefield. The outstanding bravery and gallantry displayed by the men of the 1st Platoon, Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry against overwhelming odds reflect great credit on themselves, their unit and the United States Army.