Lieutenant Colonel Maurice O. V. Green, USMC (Ret.)
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to First Lieutenant Maurice O. V. Green,
United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving
as the Intelligence Officer of the First Battalion, Fifth Marines,
First Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 27 October 1968.
First Lieutenant Green traveled to the Company D Command Post in
Quang Nam Province to interrogate two North Vietnamese Army
prisoners. During the night, the Marine perimeter was breached by
an enemy engineer unit hurling satchel charges throughout the
position. Simultaneously, a large North Vietnamese force initiated
a savage attack employing mortars, small arms, automatic weapons
and antitank rockets. Alertly observing the commanding officer
among the seriously wounded, First Lieutenant Green unhesitatingly
assumed command of the company and repeatedly exposed himself to
the continuous hail of enemy fire as he began rallying the Marine
defenders. Completely disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly
moved about the fire-swept terrain to each Marine position,
shouting words of encouragement to the men and directing their fire
at the hostile soldiers. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near
him, he swiftly retrieved a radio from a seriously injured radio
operator and boldly adjusted supporting arms fire on the attackers
with pinpoint accuracy, forcing them to withdraw in panic and
confusion. Rapidly assessing the turn of events, First Lieutenant
Green courageously mounted and skillfully directed a determined
counterattack in pursuit of the fleeing enemy soldiers while
continuing to direct effective supporting arms fire on them. After
contact had been broken with the enemy, he ensured that the wounded
were medically treated and made arrangements for their evacuation.
His daring initiative and heroic efforts inspired all who served
with him and were instrumental in his company's accounting for
eight hostile soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, bold
leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great
personal danger, First Lieutenant Green upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
First Lieutenant Nicholas H. Grosz, USMC
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to First Lieutenant Nicholas H. Grosz,
Jr., United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as
Commanding Officer of Headquarters and Service Company, Second
Battalion, Seventh Marines, in the Republic of Vietnam on 18
December 1965, during Operation Harvest Moon in Quang Tin Province
near the hamlet of Ky Phy. When savage small arms, automatic
weapons and mortar fire pinned his company down in a muddy and
exposed rice paddy area, Lieutenant Grosz immediately informed
his battalion of the seriousness of the situation and summoned
help. Completely ignoring his own personal safety, he repeatedly
ran the gauntlet of intense enemy fire to personally evacuate four
wounded Marines. He returned to his men and gave them encouragement
as he rallied them and directed their fire toward Viet Cong
positions. In order to permit a few of the lesser wounded to make
their way to relative safety while a rifle company was coming to the
rescue, he personally engaged automatic weapons with a grenade
launcher while enemy rounds were striking his pack and equipment.
After returning to retrieve weapons and sundry abandoned gear, and
to make certain that none of his men were left behind, he finally
made his way to the main battle position and organized his company
to support the battalion in its subsequent attack and mopping up
operations. By his daring actions, indomitable fighting spirit, and
loyal devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger,
Lieutenant Grosz reflected distinct credit upon himself and the
Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States
Naval Service.
Colonel Myron C. Harrington, USMC (Ret.)
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain Myron C. Harrington, United
States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as
Commanding Officer for Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines,
First Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations
against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of
23 February 1968, Company D was attacking a well entrenched North
Vietnamese Army force that was occupying a fortified section of the
wall surrounding the Hue Citadel. As the Marines maneuvered forward,
they began receiving a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons,
mortar and antitank rocket fire. Realizing the seriousness of the
situation, Captain Harrington skillfully deployed his 3.5 rocket
teams into advantageous firing positions. Continuously moving from
one position to another, he pinpointed enemy emplacements and
skillfully directed the fire of his men. After silencing four
hostile positions, he requested supporting arms fire and skillfully
adjusted 60mm mortar fire to within twenty-five meters of the
forward elements of his company, while simultaneously adjusting
artillery fire. Disregarding his own safety, Captain Harrington
then fearlessly maneuvered to the point of heaviest contact and,
rallying his men, boldly led a determined assault against the enemy
soldiers. Shouting words of encouragement to his men, he skillfully
maneuvered his unit forward and directed the Marines' fire upon the
hostile emplacements. Largely due to his resolute determination and
intrepid fighting spirit, his men overran the hostile positions and
routed the North Vietnamese soldiers, accounting for twenty-five
enemy soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, superb leadership
and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal
danger, Captain Harrington upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Colonel Michael M. Spark, USMC (Killed In Action)
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to Colonel Michael M. Spark, United
States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as
Commanding Officer, Third Marines, Third Marine Division
(Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations
against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 January 1969.
During a multi-battalion search and clear operation in the vicinity
of An Hoa, Colonel Spark exhibited outstanding courage and presence
of mind in the midst of violent combat action. While commanding a
bold, highly imaginative, mobile operation in the mountainous
terrain, Colonel Spark directed an assault against heavily fortified
enemy positions. After ensuring that his men were properly
positioned, Colonel Spark went airborne, by the use of a helicopter,
to observe and direct the operation. During the process of the
operation, it was necessary for the helicopter to descend, and as
the helicopter hovered over the landing zone, which had been hastily
cut out of the jungle, the enemy took the aircraft under
automatic-weapons fire. Despite the enemy fire, he defiantly
continued the personal direction of his men until finally the
helicopter was hit and caused to crash. As the helicopter impacted,
the enemy continued firing upon it, killing all the occupants.
Throughout the entire operation, Colonel Spark placed requirements
for full and direct support of his combat elements above any concern
for his own personal safety. He spent the majority of his time with
his forward-most units in order to effectively control the action.
This enabled him to maximize exploitation of many situations, and
served as an inspiration to the officers and enlisted Marines of
his command. By his intrepid fighting spirit, daring initiative,
and unswerving dedication to duty, Colonel Spark upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
by BT Productions