On 18 July 1969 in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Sergeant Rodney J. Evans of the U.S. Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, served as a squad leader during a reconnaissance sweep through heavy vegetation to reconnoiter a strong enemy position. As the force approached a well defined trail, a platoon scout warned that the trail was booby-trapped, and Evans led his squad on a route parallel to it. After a nearby squad was struck by a concealed mine, he saw a second enemy device to his right, shouted a warning to his men, threw himself to the ground, and crawled toward the mine with complete disregard for his own safety. As he reached it, an enemy soldier detonated the explosive, and Evans absorbed the full impact with his body. His selfless action saved his comrades from probable death or injury, inspired his unit, and cost him his life.