THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States, takes pride in presenting the
NAVY CROSS to:
SECOND LIEUTENANT LOUIS R. PIATT
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine
Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1969, the Second
Platoon of Company M was dispatched to the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc District of Quang Nam Province to assist a squad from another
platoon which had become heavily engaged with a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battlalion. Having reached their objective,
the Marines commenced a reconnaissance in force across a rice paddy covered with heavy grass and, led by Second Lieutenant Piatt,
immediately were engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with hostile soldiers who had been concealed in the tall grass. As he led the
Marines in a steady advance through the rice paddy, they killed twelve of the enemy. Mounting the second attack, the Marines sustained
several casualties, and when a machine gunner was wounded, Second Lieutenant Piatt quickly seized the man's weapon and delivered
rapid suppressive fire until he exhausted the ammunition, then utilized the light antitank assault weapon of another injured man and
continued firing until assured that all casualties had been evacuated. Early the following morning, he rallied his men and initiated a
final, well planned attack against the formidable North Vietnamese Army stronghold. In a splendid display of leadership, he led his
men across the fire swept terrain and seized the objective. His heroic and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and were
instrumental in his platoon's accounting fro thirty-six hostile soldiers killed and vast quantities of enemy weapons and equipment
captured. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Second Lieutenant
Piatt upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy