The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Staff Sergeant Marwick Leroy Kemp (MCSN: 2017255), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a 3.5″ Rocket Squad Leader attached to Third Platoon, Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 March 1966. As the company was engaged in search and destroy operations against the communist insurgent forces in Quang Ngai Province, it moved across an open rice paddy area and approached to within thirty-five meters of a small village and was taken under fire from a large Viet Cong force emplaced in heavy fortifications and trench lines completely surrounding the village. The Third Platoon came under particularly devastating fire as it was completely exposed to the enemy’s automatic weapons fire, mortar fire, and grenade attacks. Within seconds the platoon commander, the platoon sergeant, the platoon guide, and two rifle squad leaders had been wounded and were out of action. Sergeant Kemp moved to the commander’s side and offered aid, but was instructed to take over the platoon and continue the attack. Exposing himself to intense enemy fire from several fortified positions, he quickly reorganized the squads. He then directed the continuation of the attack, exposing himself to urge his men forward until word came down from the company commander to withdraw from the village. Simultaneously directing fire on the enemy, conducting the evacuation of the wounded, and personally carrying other wounded back to safety, he unselfishly risked his life time after time to insure that the withdrawal was performed in an orderly manner and that each wounded man was brought back to safety. During this entire period, Sergeant Kemp performed his duties in a fashion that would be considered extremely exceptional for men of higher grade and experience. His tireless devotion to duty, his unswerving courage in the face of great danger, and his brilliant display of professional skill were responsible for the saving of many lives and were directly responsible for over sixty Viet Cong killed by his platoon. His actions upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corp and the United States Naval Service.