The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospitalman Gerald Claude McKeen (NSN: 9190058), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 24 September 1966 as Platoon Corpsman, Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during Operation PRAIRIE in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. While moving through an unfamiliar area, the company came under intense mortar, machine-gun and sniper fire from what was later estimated to be a North Vietnamese regiment. Although seriously wounded by a large piece of shrapnel, Hospitalman McKeen refused aid from his fellow Corpsman and began crawling from one wounded man to another, rendering medical treatment. At one time, he crawled more than twenty meters under devastating fire to assist an exposed machine-gun team. While aiding the wounded Marines, Hospitalman McKeen received another severe wound which partially immobilized him. Once again he refused treatment, insisting that the other wounded be treated first. Many of these casualties were less seriously wounded than himself. Finally, after three hours, when his physical condition prevented him from continuing, Hospitalman McKeen crawled more than fifty meters back to the company command post where he succumbed to his wounds. By his inspiring and valiant efforts in behalf of his comrades, Hospitalman McKeen upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.