Robert Allan Lhota
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

On 21 September 1968, Specialist Four Robert Allan Lhota was serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Lhota was an assistant machine gunner on a search and destroy mission in Quang Tri Province. His platoon was attacked by an enemy force occupying well-concealed bunkers, and became pinned down by the aggressors' cross fire. SPC4 Lhota took a machine gun from a wounded man and placed fire on the hostile emplacements, allowing his fellow soldiers to begin a withdrawal. The enemy concentrated fire on his position, and he was seriously wounded by a rocket that exploded next to him. Refusing evacuation, he manned the machine gun until he was hit a 2nd time and his weapon was damaged. A comrade attempted to carry him to safety, but SPC4 Lhota resisted, and instead began firing his rifle at the enemy. He was struck again by the hostile fusillade and was mortally wounded. Through his courageous actions most of the platoon escaped the murderous barrage. SPC4 Lhota's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman 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 Robert Allan Lhota (ASN: ER-23769625), 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 Company D, 1st battalion, 11th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Specialist Four Lhota distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 September 1968 while serving as an assistant machine gunner on a search and destroy mission in Quang Tri Province. His platoon was suddenly attacked by an enemy force occupying well concealed bunkers, and became pinned down by the aggressors' cross fire. Specialist Lhota took a machine gun from a wounded man and placed effective fire on the hostile emplacements, enabling his fellow soldiers to begin a withdrawal. The enemy concentrated on his position, and he was seriously wounded by a rocket that exploded next to him. Refusing to be evacuated, he continued to man the machine gun until he was hit a second time and his weapon was damaged. A comrade attempted to carry him to safety, but Specialist Lhota resisted, and instead began shooting his rifle at the communists. He was struck again by the hostile fusillade and was mortally wounded. Through bravery and self-sacrifice most of the platoon escaped the murderous barrage. Specialist Lhota'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. 5470 (November 27, 1968)

Honors

The name Robert A Lhota is located on Panel 43W Line 55 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Robert Allan Lhota is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Monessen, Westmoreland County, PA.