Dennis Leon Rouska
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Dennis Leon Rouska was born on 26 June 1949 in Oregon City, OR, the son of James Sidney and May Velma Lynch-Slater Rouska.

On 7 December 1970, then-Specialist Four Dennis Leon Rouska was serving with 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 46th Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Rouska was serving as a machine gunner in a rifle platoon during the night of a mortar attack. As the mortar rounds began falling, SPC4 Rouska left his secure position and moved through the exploding enemy rounds to aid his wounded comrades. Although wounded by fragmentation, he remained exposed to the rounds impacting around him. While administering first aid, SPC4 Rouska heard an incoming mortar round and threw himself upon his comrade, shielding him from the exploding mortar. Through his concern for his fellow soldier, he saved his life. SPC4 Rouska'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.

Rouska received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Sergeant.

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 Sergeant [then Specialist Fourth Class] Dennis Leon Rouska, 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, 46th Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Sergeant Rouska distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 December 1970 while serving as a machine gunner in a rifle platoon during the night of a mortar attack. As the lethal mortar rounds began falling, Sergeant Rouska unhesitatingly left his secure position and maneuvered through the exploding enemy rounds to aid his wounded comrades. Although wounded by fragmentation, he remained exposed to the fusillade of rounds impacting around him. Attempting to administer first aid, Sergeant Rouska heard an incoming mortar round, and, realizing the full implication of his sacrifice, he threw himself upon his comrade, shielding him from the exploding mortar. Through his indomitable courage, disregard for his safety and concern for his fellow soldier, he averted the loss of a life. Sergeant Rouska'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. [This award supersedes award of the Silver Star awarded to Sergeant Rouska for gallantry in action on 7 December 1970, as announced in 23d Infantry Division General Orders Number 674, 1971.]

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 32 (August 3, 1972)

Honors

The name Dennis L Rouska is located on Panel 6W Line 113 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant Dennis Leon Rouska is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor County, WA, in Block 11, Lot 6, Section 2.

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