The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Kent C. Bateman (MCSN: 0-73614), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a Pilot of an A6A Intruder Aircraft with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (VMA(AW)-533), First Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Assigned the mission of attacking a heavily defended airfield complex, Major Bateman launched his aircraft that night. Aware of the intense enemy surface-to-air missile fire, he formulated and executed a plan to penetrate the hostile defenses. Exposed to interception by enemy fighters at high level, he descended on instruments to minimum altitude. Maneuvering his aircraft over and around treacherous and uncertain terrain, he successfully pierced the enemy’s outer missile ring and penetrated deep within his inner defenses. As he neared the initial attack point, Major Bateman was subjected to intense enemy tracking fire. Although losing radio contact with an electronic counter measure aircraft and realizing that it placed his aircraft and himself in serious danger, he nonetheless courageously continued his attack. Disregarding the intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles, he completed his daring attack. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Major Bateman was instrumental in destroying an enemy airfield, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.