The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant [then Corporal] Joseph Luca (MCSN: 2239172), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Company Runner and Interpreter with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, attached to the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 5 March 1967. Company F was on a search and destroy mission when the lead elements crossed an open field and were taken under extremely heavy and accurate automatic weapons fire from cleverly concealed Viet Cong. Immediately, the point man was mortally wounded, and the remainder of the platoon drew up to a position on the secure side of a hedgerow that bordered the open area, to provide covering fire. Sergeant Luca led the command group to the sound of the firing and, when he reached the hedgerow, joined in the firing at the suspected enemy positions. Realizing that he could more effectively give suppressive fire from the open field, he dashed through the hedgerow into the clearing, and from his new position took the enemy under fire and maintained his barely tenable position, bravely drawing all the enemy fire to himself, so that the wounded could be carried to the landing zone behind him. Then, when enemy fire suddenly ceased, the company moved out in pursuit. As the unit moved forward once again, a vicious stream of enemy automatic weapons fire caught the lead elements. The landing zone was saturated with enemy fire as the helicopters came in; however, Sergeant Luca calmly assisted in carrying the wounded to the helicopters. His uncommon resourcefulness and daring actions were inspirational to all who observed him. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Luca saved his comrades from further injury and possibly loss of life, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.