THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington


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

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MICHAEL A. SIROUSA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 February 1970, Company C was moving as a reaction force to support another Marine unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force in Quang Nam Province. While moving across a stream, the point squad came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from an enemy unit well entrenched on the opposite bank, wounding several Marines and pinning the squad down on a sand bar in the middle of the stream. Reacting instantly, Private First Class Sirousa skillfully maneuvered his squad to firing positions along the river bank and directed the delivery of maximum fire at the enemy positions. Realizing that the amount of fire delivered by the Marines along the bank was insufficient to supress the hostile fire, he gathered as many hand grenades as could carry and rushed across the stream in a valiant one-man assault on the enemy postitions. Firing his rifle and hurling grenades, he continued his gallant efforts, despite the concentration of hostile fire directed at him, until he was mortally wounded. His dauntless fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and was greatly instrumental in the defeat of the enemy. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Sirousa upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.


For the President,

Secretary of the Navy