The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Robert L. Hendricks (MCSN: 2235429), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as the 60-mm. Mortar Section Leader with Company H, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against insurgent (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 19 February 1968, Corporal Hendricks was directing the 60-mm. mortar section as it conducted routine fire missions around the company perimeter when he observed an object about the size of a hand grenade land approximately fifteen feet from the mortar position. Locating the object, he found that it was a rock and, reporting the incident to the command post, alerted personnel along the defensive perimeter. A few minutes later, another rock landed on top of the ammunition storage area to the front of the mortar position. Again, Corporal Hendricks alerted those manning defensive positions and continued to direct the fire missions. Fifteen minutes later, a fragmentation grenade landed near the mortar position and only a few feet from two men sleeping on the ground. Reacting instantly and with complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Hendricks jumped over the sandbag wall around the position, threw himself on the armed grenade and shouted to his companions to take cover. When all the men had reached safety and it appeared that the grenade would not detonate, he removed the explosive device to a safe area where it was destroyed. By his courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Hendricks upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.