The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class James Richmond Reilly (MCSN: 2042266), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a Machine Gunner with the Second Platoon, Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against communist forces at DaNang, Republic of Vietnam, on 17 March 1966. In the early morning hours of that day, Private First Class Reilly and a fellow Marine were vigilantly defending their two-man foxhole position on the unit’s perimeter against repeated enemy small-arms and grenade attacks. Their position was of particular importance in that it blocked the possible approach of the enemy forces through a wooded draw. As Private First Class Reilly peered into the semidarkness he heard and saw an object, which he immediately recognized as a grenade, land about four feet from his position beyond the edge of the foxhole. The ground at this point sloped sharply toward his position and he realized instantly that the grenade would roll into the hole itself. With precious seconds already gone, Private First Class Reilly knew he could not retrieve the grenade and hurl it away in time. Without a moment’s hesitation he called a warning to his comrade and, unmindful of his own personal safety, threw himself upon the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby saving his comrade from serious injury or possible death. Private First Class Reilly, by his superb courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.