The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain [then Sergeant] Mykle E. Stahl (MCSN: 0-109534), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Platoon Sergeant with a 4.2 Mortar Platoon attached to Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 January 1968. While maintaining a combat outpost on Hill 861, the Company came under enemy mortar, rocket, and ground attack. After the defensive positions on the southwest side of the hill were penetrated by enemy sappers, Captain Stahl, although having received shrapnel wounds, led eight Marines from the 4.2 Mortar Section and advanced up the trenchline to make contact with the Third Platoon. Realizing that by now the enemy forces were manning the bunkers in the trenchline, he launched a one man assault while other Marines provided a base of fire, thus enabling several wounded Marines to be evacuated. As he advanced further up the trenchline, Captain Stahl encountered three enemy soldiers who tried to capture him. Although receiving bayonet wounds and having his M-16 rifle malfunction during the struggle, he killed two of the enemy soldiers while another Marine fatally wounded the third. Captain Stahl then picked up an AK A-47 assault rifle and continued up the trenchline and assaulted the third bunker, killing three and capturing three enemy soldiers. Linking up with the Third Platoon, the trenchline was consolidated and evacuation of wounded Marines was completed. Captain Stahl then moved to a .50 caliber machine gun and, although wounded for the third time, continued directing suppressive fire into the attacking enemy forces. By his bold courage and steadfast dedication, Captain Stahl reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.