17 April 2003 REMEMBERED by his comrades in the 5th Infantry DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM APO San Francisco 96375 19 Apr 1968 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 1820 AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. LOBACK, THOMAS J US52753134 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS UNITED STATES ARMY HQ & HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross Date action: 19 February 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Private First Class Loback distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 February 1968 as medical aidman for an infantry platoon conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Hoc Mon. His platoon had just moved into a hedgerow when it was subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire from a North Vietnamese Army battalion in well fortified positions. One squad was immediately pinned down by the savage barrage and sustained several casualties. Hearing a call for medical aid, Private Loback unhesitatingly crawled forward through a withering hail of bullets and flying schrapnel, treated five wounded troops and assisted them to a position of relative safety. Continuing to brave the ravaging hostile fusillade, he raced across a bullet-swept rice filed to the side of another wounded comrade and skillfully treated him. The soldier had begun moving toward cover when he was hit again by enemy sniper fire. Exposing himself to a curtain of raking machine gun fire, Private Loback fearlessly rushed back to the casualty and treated him a second time. Refusing to abandon his life-saving mission, he began to pull his seriously wounded patient to safety. Private Loback was instantly killed by enemy automatic weapons fire while gallantly placing the welfare of a fellow soldier above his own in the heat of battle. Private First Class Loback's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.

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