THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington

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

PRIVATE ALVIN S. LA POINTE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a rifleman with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 March 1966. While engaged in a search and destroy operation against communist insurgent forces. Private La Pointe's platoon came under an intense volume of well aimed automatic weapons fire. While engaged in vicious hand-to-hand combat, Private La Pointe observed an enemy anitaircraft weapon raking his squad with a murderous volume of accurate fire. Facing almost certain death, he heroically crawled across the fire swept slope toward the enemy bunker armed only with his bayonet and hand grenades. Within ten feet of the emplacement, he fearlessly and agressively leaped into the position and, landing astride the gun, stabbed and killed the gunner. Seeing his comrade killed, the second Viet Cong fled into a tunnel within the position. Courageous and oblivious to the immenent danger, Private La Pointe unhesitatingly followed and killed him. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life and enabled the platoon to seize and hold the vital enemy position. By his personal bravery, indomitable fighting spirit and devotion to duty, Private La Pointe 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