For his actions near Hue during the Tet Offensive of '68, an 18-year-old Paratrooper earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and a Purple Heart, all during a 30 day period.

The highly decorated Soldier, Sgt Michael E. Dorch, 21, of Tampa, Fl, is currently serving his second tour in Vietnam. Dorch started his military service at the ripe old age of 17 when he enlisted in the Army in `66. Immediately upon completion of Jump School he attended supply school at Ft Lee, Va. After a short stint at Ft Bragg, he joined the 2d Bn, 501st Inf, 101st Airborne Division at Ft Campbell and came to Vietnam with the division.

"We arrived in 'Nam in December of '67 and were stationed at Camp El Paso, later known as Camp Eagle. I was the supply clerk with the Battalion when it made its first contact, sustaining numerous casualties. I volunteered to go to the field, and was sent to Co A," recalls Dorch.

He was in the field a month when he saw his first action. Co A was participating in a Battalion sweep near Hue during Tet of '68 when it encountered a Battalion of North Vietnamese in trench lines. A Company became pinned down from heavy enemy fire. During the battle, Dorch and three other men knocked out an enemy machine gun position. For his actions the Specialist received an Army Commendation Medal with "V" for valor. He also received his first Purple Heart.

"We managed to crawl close enough to destroy it. We had to pop smoke to mark our position as we were in front of our own troops." They moved back, bringing in more wounded. Lockhart got hit, and Dorch carried him back. Mortar fire kept falling on their position. By this time, the casualty count was six dead and 30 wounded, so the Company retreated across a river and broke contact. Dorch was presented the DSC in the States.

Less than two weeks later Sgt Dorch once again distinguished himself in battle. He was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and an Oak Leaf Cluster for his Purple Heart. When his tour ended, Dorch finished his hitch in the States and was discharged.

"After eight months I decided to come back in the Army. I re-enlisted in March of this year and volunteered for Vietnam. There's a job to be done, and I feel this is where I'm needed most." Dorch, who is currently assigned to HHC, 3d Bn, 503d Inf, 173d Abn Bde, hopes to be back in the field in the near future.