For heroic achievement while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 28 Februrary 1969, Lieutenant (junior grade) ROOD was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 23 in conjunction with two other Patrol Craft Fast, Underwater Demolition Team THIRTEEN and Vietnamese Regional and Popular Force personnel who were involved in an operation on Ca Xau Peninsula as part of Operation SEA LORDS.
While transiting the Bay Hap River, these units came under a barrage of enemy small arms fire from the river bank. The three Patrol Craft Fast immediately responded an charged the Viet Cong positions, taking the enemy under devastating fire. The Viet Cong, caught completely off guard by this tactic, stood up and began running from their positions. The fleeing Viet Cong were taken under fire by the three Patrol Craft Fast and three enemy were killed prior to the insertion of Regional and Popular Force troops.
While Regional and Popular Force personnel conducted a sweep of the area, Patrol Craft Fast 43 remained to provide fire support and Patrol Craft 23 and 94 moved upstram to investiage an area from which gunshots were coming. Arriving at the area, both of the Patrol Craft Fast came under heavy automatic/semi-automatic weapons fire from well fortified positions along the river bank. Patrol Craft Fast 23 and 94 turned and charged directly into the enemy fire while summoning Patrol Craft Fast 43 to come to the area and provide additional firepower.
... (to be continued)
The three craft saturation the area with gunfire and placed assault parties ashore in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. Lieutenant (junior grade) ROOD led one of these assault parties and conducted a sweep of the area while the Patrol Craft Fast continue to provide fire support.
After the enemy had been completely routed, all personnel returned to the Patrol Craft Fast to withdraw from the area. While backing off the beach these craft again came under a hail of enemy fire, this time from the opposite river bank.
Again the three Patrol Craft Fast poured withering fire into the enemy positions and then cleared the area. Later after disembarking personnel and while exiting from the Bay Hap River, the Patrol Craft Fast were again taken under enemy fire.
The three craft returned fire and silenced the enemy. As a result of this operation, ten Viet Cong were killed and one wounded with no friendly casualties. In addition numerous sampans, structures and bunkers were destroyed as well as confiscation of substantial quantities of combat essential supplies.
Lieutenant (junior grade) ROOD's devotion to duty, courage under fire and exemplary professionalism significantly contributed to the success of this operation and were keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Lieutenant (junior grade) ROOD is authorized to wear the Combat "V".
For the President
[signed]
E. R. ZUMWALT, JR.
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Commander U. S. Naval Forces, Vietnam