The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant David Harold Brown (MCSN: 2056298), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 September 1967. While moving in support of a sister company, southwest of Con Thien on Hill 48, Sergeant Brown’s platoon came under devastating enemy rocket, mortar, automatic weapons, small arms, and grenade fire from a numerically superior enemy force. Quickly assessing the situation, he established a defensive position and brought fire to bear on the enemy. With complete disregard for his own safety, he charged the enemy positions, hurling grenades and temporarily disrupting an enemy assault. Upon depleting his grenade supply, he returned through the intense enemy fire and obtained an M-79 grenade launcher and again single-handedly assaulted the enemy positions, once again breaking up their assault and accounting for several enemy killed. Upon completion of this task, he moved among his men, directing their fire and encouraging them until he was mortally wounded. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Sergeant Brown was instrumental in stopping an enemy attack, thereby saving numerous Marine casualties and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.