Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Military Police Battalion

    Division:

    Force Logistic Command, FMF

    Action Date:

    January 14, 1970

    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Robert D. Stockman (MCSN: 2203740), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Dog Handler with the Third Military Police Battalion, Force Logistic Command, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 January 1970, Sergeant Stockman accompanied a platoon on a mission to search a designated village for North Vietnamese Army soldiers and equipment. As the platoon neared its objective, the lead element was pinned down by a heavy volume of automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from an enemy company occupying a well-fortified bunker complex. After rapidly assessing the situation, Sergeant Stockman tied his dog in a covered location, rushed across fifty meters of open area, and charged the nearest hostile emplacement, silencing the fire from that sector. Directing a companion to provide covering fire, Sergeant Stockman and another Marine maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and attacked and destroyed the remaining bunker. At this time, the platoon came under intense fire from two other directions. Observing a wounded man fall in an open area, Sergeant Stockman unhesitatingly ran to his side, picked him up, and carried him to a covered location. When a medical transportation helicopter approached a pick-up site, the hostile fire immediately increased in intensity, delaying the landing. Seizing the initiative, Sergeant Stockman rallied the other members of the platoon and led an aggressive assault on the enemy force which forced it into a disorganized retreat, leaving behind two mortally wounded soldiers. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and inspiring devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Stockman contributed significantly to the defeat of a numerically superior enemy force and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.