THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington


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

FIRST LIEUTENANT MICHAEL I. NEIL
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), during operations against the enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 20 December 1967. Informed by a squad sized ambush patrol that an estimated one humdred Viet Cong were moving toward its position at Phouc Ninh (2), in Quang Nam Province, First (then Second) Lieutenant Neil quickly organized a twelve-man reaction force and led his small unit to the assistance of the patrol. Disregarding the intrense fire, he led his men across, 1,300 meters of thickly forested terrain to the Marine patrol which was heavily engaged with teh enemy force. When the advance was halted by intense small-arns fie, automatic weapons and rifle grenade fire from the hostile positions, he, with completer disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the devestating fire to hurl hand grenades and direct his men's fire which momentarily silenced the enemy weapons. Suddenly, the Marines came under mortar fire. Shouting words of encouragement to his men, he boldly moved through the hail of enemy fire, leading an assault against the enemy positions. Observing a wounded comrade in an exposed position he removed his armored vest and placed it over the casualty to protect him from further injury. Picking up the wounded man's M-79 Grenade Launcher, he delivered intense and accurate fireagainst the enemy. When the momentum of the attack decreased, he rallied his men and led a determined assault into the face of the enemy fire, Throwing hand grenades as he advanced, he destroyed a machine-gun emplacement and mortally wounded several enemy with his pistol. By his bold initiave, gallant fighting spirit, and loyal devotion to duty , Lieutenant Neil reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


For the President,

Secretary of the Navy