Hubbard Don Cobb
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 14 January 1968, Sergeant First Class Hubbard Don Cobb was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SFC Cobb was leading his platoon in an attack near Dai Luong. A scout helicopter, performing a reconnaissance at SFC Cobb's request, made contact with elements of a Viet Cong regiment in a rock and cave complex in which the platoon was operating. SFC Cobb deployed his troops for an assault and received sporadic rifle and grenade fire. The initial burst wounded the 2 point men. SFC Cobb directed counterfire that resulted in 2 enemy killed. He then took the point as the platoon maneuvered around a series of openings in the rocks. SFC Cobb spent the next hour creeping forward to hurl explosive charges into the caves. He repeatedly engaged the enemy, personally killing 3 Viet Cong. At dusk, as he was approaching a cave, an enemy soldier appeared and, with a burst of automatic rifle fire, mortally wounded SFC Cobb. Although dying, SFC Cobb assaulted the position carrying an explosive charge and plunged headfirst into the hole, killing the enemy in the resulting blast. SFC Cobb'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
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
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 First Class Hubbard Don Cobb (ASN: RA-18533582), 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 A, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Platoon Sergeant Cobb distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 January 1968 while leading his platoon in an attack near Dai Luong. A scout helicopter, performing a reconnaissance at Sergeant Cobb's request, made contact with elements of a Viet Cong regiment in a rock and cave complex in which the platoon was operating. Sergeant Cobb deployed his troops for an assault and immediately received sporadic but deadly rifle and grenade fire. The initial burst wounded the two point men. Sergeant Cobb quickly directed counter fire which accounted for two enemy dead. He then placed himself on the point as the platoon maneuvered around a series of openings in the rocks. Sergeant Cobb spent the next hour creeping forward to hurl explosive charges into the caves. Disregarding his safety, he repeatedly engaged the enemy, personally killing three Viet Cong. At dusk, as he was approaching a cave, an enemy soldier suddenly appeared and, with a burst of automatic rifle fire, mortally wounded Sergeant Cobb. Although he was dying, Sergeant Cobb assaulted the position carrying an explosive charge and plunged headfirst into the hole, killing his foe in the resulting blast. Platoon Sergeant Cobb'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. 3264 (July 10, 1968)

Honors

The name Hubbard D Cobb is located on Panel 34E Line 47 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Hubbard Don Cobb is buried at Athens Cemetery in Athens, Henderson County, TX.