First Lieutenant Raymond John Krupinski was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School Class 6-68, 09 February 1968. At the time he was Killed in Action he was serving as a Platoon Leader of Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Lieutenant Krupinski was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

CITATION: Lieutenant Krupinski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 April 1969 while serving as platoon leader of a patrol operating in Binh Long Province. As he was positioning his men in an ambush formation, an enemy force opened fire with automatic weapons and rockets. He immediately directed retaliatory fire and called the medics to administer aid to the wounded. As he and his machine gun crew were attempting to move in on a hostile emplacement, the assistant gunner was wounded as well as the medical aidman who tried to reach him. Lieutenant Krupinski quickly proceeded to remove the wounded gunner. As he was pulling the man to safety, he was wounded. Refusing medical treatment, he returned to the area to recover the medic. As he was heroically attempting to rescue the injured man, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. First Lieutenant Krupinski'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.

His military awards and decorations include: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.