Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Hospital Corpsman Second Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    August 20, 1970

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Second Class Neil “D” Hunting (NSN: 819935), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company H, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF. On 20 August 1970, Petty Officer Hunting’s squad was part of a reaction force dispatched to assist another squad which had been pinned down by a North Vietnamese Army unit occupying well-concealed emplacements in tall elephant grass. As the reaction force advanced, the lead squad also encountered intense fire and suffered casualties. Completely disregarding the enemy fire raking the area, Petty Officer Hunting unhesitatingly moved to the side of the most critically wounded Marine and, after rendering first aid to the man, fearlessly moved him across the dangerous terrain to a covered location. After ensuring that his patient required no additional treatment, he valiantly returned through the intense fire on two more occasions to treat the wounded and move them to safety. Although he had by now become the object of concentrated fire from the North Vietnamese Army soldiers, Petty Officer Hunting crossed the open space again to treat a fourth man and to drag him to a nearby river. Despite the hostile rounds that impacted around him, he carried the man with him as he swam one hundred meters upstream to a landing zone from which the casualty could be medically evacuated. By his courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Petty Officer Hunting was instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.