Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    4th Marines

    Division:

    3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    August 26, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Floyd Andrew Graves (MCSN: 2115496), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 August 1966. Defending a forward tank and artillery position at the village of Cam Lo, near the Demilitarized Zone in North Quang Tri Province, Corporal Graves’ machine gun emplacement was positioned to deliver fire on the defensive wire around the perimeter and registered to cover all possible avenues of approach within his zone of fire. Early in the morning on 26 August, the Company’s defensive perimeter was attacked by a numerically superior communist guerrilla (Viet Cong) and North Vietnamese Army force. Corporal Graves was manning his machine gun when the enemy made its determined assault with small arms, automatic weapons, antitank rocket fire, hand grenades and explosive charges. Reacting instantly, Corporal Graves courageously and skillfully delivered effective fire on the fanatic waves of charging enemy troops, as his position became a major objective of the assault forces. Continuously exposed to the withering fire, Corporal Graves calmly and methodically delivered a heavy volume of fire within his area of responsibility in order to gain fire superiority over the aggressors. On several occasions, enemy suicidal troops defied Corporal Graves’ devastating accuracy in an effort to silence his machine gun. Approaching to within a few feet of his position, they threw satchel charges which exploded all around Corporal Graves’ area, injuring one Marine. When one such explosive charge landed inside his position, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he bravely picked it up and hurled it back at the enemy. His immediate reaction under the intense volume of fire not only saved himself and his gunner, but kept his machine gun in action during the entire attack. Throughout the engagement, he employed his weapon with exceptional skill and accuracy, personally killing eleven of the enemy and making a significant contribution to the success of his unit. By his exceptional fortitude in the face of grave danger, bold determination and unfaltering dedication to duty throughout, Corporal Graves upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.