McDonald, Phill G.

...CITATION...

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. Pfc. McDonald distinguished himself while serving as a team leader with the 1st platoon
of Company A.  While on a combat mission his platoon came under heavy barrage of automatic weapons
fire from a well concealed company-size enemy force.  Volunteering to escort 2 wounded comrades to
an evacuation point, Pfc. McDonald crawled through intense fire to destroy with a grenade an
enemy automatic weapon threatening the safety of the evacuation. Returning to his platoon, he again
volunteered to provide covering fire for the maneuver of the platoon from its exposed position.
Realizing the threat he posed, enemy gunners concentrated their fire on Pfc. McDonald's position,
seriously wounding him.  Despite his painful wounds, Pfc. McDonald recovered the weapon
of a wounded machine gunner to provide accurate covering fire for the gunner's evacuation. When
other soldiers were pinned down by a heavy volume of fire from a hostile machinegun to his front,
Pfc. McDonald crawled toward the enemy position to destroy it with grenades.  He was
mortally wounded in this intrepid action.  Pfc. McDonald's gallantry at the risk of his life which
resulted in the saving of the lives of his comrades, is in keeping with the highest traditions
 of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.