First Lieutenant Daniel A. Hennessy was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in August 1965. His first duty assignment was as a Training Officer, C Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, USATC, Fort Ord, California. | His subsequent duty assignments were Training Officer, Hunter Liggett Military Reservation, Jolon, California; Security Platoon Leader, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam; Platoon Leader, B Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry (Airborne), 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam. | His military education consists of: Infantry Officer Candidate School, Basic Airborne Course. | His military awards include a Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart w/Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/ l Bronze Service Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge; Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 1960 Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm Device; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation 1st Class; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation w/ Palm Device. | DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS CITATION | First Lieutenant Hennessy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 December 1966 while serving as a platoon leader with elements of the 8th Cavalry on a search and destroy mission in Binh Dinh Province. When his platoon suddenly received intense hostile fire from a nearby village, Lieutenant Hennessy dauntlessly led an assault on the Viet Cong positions. Maneuvering through a hail of bullets, he moved to the head of the platoon and was the first man to enter the hamlet. Unmindful of his vulnerable position, Lieutenant Hennessy fearlessly engaged the enemy with his rifle and hand grenades. He then called for artillery strikes within ten meters of his own position, which allowed his platoon to reach cover at the edge of a rice paddy. As he shouted orders and pointed out hostile emplacements, Lieutenant Hennessy was critically wounded by Viet Cong fire. Realizing that his wounds were fatal, he courageously continued to direct his men, until finally turning over command to his platoon sergeant with his last words. Demonstrating unimpeachable valor and profound concern for the men under his command, he inspired them to overwhelm and defeat the entrenched hostile force.