DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20380

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS
UNIT COMMENDATION to:

FIRST BATTALION, SEVENTH MARINES

for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For meritorious service in action against Communist forces in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, from 21 April to 2 May 1969. The First Battalion, 7th Marines distinguished itself by inflecting heavy losses on North Vietnamese Army units through a series of masterly conceived and skillfully executed tactical moves. In anticipation of heavy enemy movement on the night of 21 April 1969, the battalion head deployed to ambush enemy forces wherever they might attempt to cross the Vu Gia River. Late at night, elements of the battalion observed enemy movement, but held their fire in anticipation of a larger enemy force. he decision proved to be remunerative when a short time later 150 to 200 North Vietnameses soldiers began crossing the river at the ambush position. Waiting until the enemy was in the middle of the river, the battalion initiated the ambush with a devastating volume of fire in a classic ambush situation. The outstanding fire and concealment discipline, and the superb integration of supporting arms brought down 57 North Vietnamese soldiers on the field of battle. An additional 14 bodies were found in shallow graves during the subsequent sweep the next day. Other casualties of the action might have been swept away by the strong river current. An enemy buildup in the same vicinity a week later was outflanked and routed by the skillful use of supporting arms by the First Battalion, Seventh Marines. By their outstanding professional knowledge, tactical skill, and aggressive fighting spirit, the men of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines succeeded in inflicting disproportionately heavy casualties on the Communist forces. In achieving these results, the battalion displayed exceptional qualities of individual fighting skill, indomitable courage, and unit esprit which were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

For the Secretary of the Navy,

Signed/LEONARD F. CHAPMAN
Commandant of the Marine Corps