The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Jeff C. Skweres (MCSN: 2428288), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN, First Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 1 June 1970, Corporal Skweres launched as an Aerial Gunner aboard a transport helicopter assigned the medical evacuation of several Marine casualties who had been extensively wounded by enemy mines. Arriving over the designated location, he observed that, when the tall elephant grass was parted by the downdraft from the rotor blades, the entire field was literally seeded with mines. Despite this extreme hazard, Corporal Skweres unhesitatingly volunteered to execute a bold and imaginative plan whereby he would be lowered on the hoist, wait on the spot while a wounded man was lifted to the aircraft and then board the hoist to be moved to where the next casualty lay. For approximately an hour, Corporal Skweres valiantly moved from one stricken man to another in performing his rescue mission. With the fall of darkness, it was necessary to utilize the exterior lights to aid in his examination of the casualties and he thus became a vulnerable target for automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire which enemy soldiers delivered from several different directions. Undaunted by this additional adversity, he steadfastly continued his determined efforts with calm deliberation until all casualties had been embarked and the transport helicopter was directed toward the nearest medical facilities at DaNang. By his courage, inspiring initiative, and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Skweres was instrumental in accomplishing an extremely dangerous lifesaving mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.