THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington


The President of the United States, takes pride in presenting the
NAVY CROSS posthumously to:

CORPORAL WILLET R. AMENDOLA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Mortar Man with Company M, Second Platoon, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on the morning of 2 November, 1967. The platoon-sized combat base, of which Corporal Amendola was part, was assaulted by an estimated 100 of the enemy. Maneuvering under the cover of darkness and a heavy mortar barrage, the insurgent forces were almost on the position before an effective defensecould be established. Corporal Amendola, who's bunker was on the side of the perimeter which was being breached, fought with great tenacity and fearlessness, as he stoutly held his ground in the face of the oncoming enemy. He and the men in his bunker were holding their own, when Corporal Amendola left his position for scant seconds to give assistance at the 60mm mortar pit. In the brief time an undetected enemy threw a satchel charge, which demolished the bunker and Corporal Amendola's weapon. Finding, then, that the mortar tube was in enemy possession, he bravely attempted to recover it. Unarmed and fortified with only sheer courage, he ran into the midst of the enemy forces in hand to hand combat. Grappling for the mortar tube, he succeeded in recapturing it, when another Viet Cong appeared and mortally wounded him with a burst of automatic fire. By his dauntless courage, initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Amendola served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.


For the President,

Secretary of the Navy