Daniel Ralph Brophy
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

On 24 June 1968, Specialist Four Daniel Ralph Brophy was serving with Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Brophy was serving as a helicopter crew chief and door gunner during a visual reconnaissance mission north of An Nhut Tan. His OH-6A helicopter was being flown at low levels when it was caught in an enemy cross fire that wounded the pilot, Warrant Officer 1 James Bruce Tasker [Honoree Record ID 280854], and caused the ship to crash. SPC4 Brophy's leg was broken upon impact. Despite his great physical pain and the constant enemy fire, he managed to evacuate the helicopter and drag his machine gun into a relatively protected position. He was then joined by WO1 Tasker and they fought their way through the Viet Cong lines until they were forced to take refuge in a bunker. SPC4 Brophy and WO1 Tasker then battled the hostile force until their position was overrun and they were killed. SPC4 Brophy's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Warrant Officer 1 James Bruce Tasker was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Army Aviation Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Daniel Ralph Brophy (ASN: US-56705375), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Brophy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 June 1968 while serving as a helicopter crew chief and door gunner during a visual reconnaissance mission north of An Nhut Tan. His aircraft was being flown at low levels when it was caught in an enemy cross fire which wounded the pilot and caused the ship to crash. Specialist Brophy's leg was broken upon impact. Despite his great physical pain and the constant enemy fire, he managed to evacuate the helicopter and drag his machine gun into a relatively protected position. He was then joined by the pilot, and they fought their way through the Viet Cong lines until they were forced to take refuge in a bunker. Specialist Brophy and his pilot then battled the determined hostile force until their position was overrun and they were killed. Specialist Fourth Class Brophy'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.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4491 (September 25, 1968)

Honors

The name Daniel R Brophy is located on Panel W55 Line 25 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Daniel Ralph Brophy is buried at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, San Diego County, CA.