The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Stephen Blann (MCSN: 2391078), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a Squad Leader with the Third Platoon, Company E, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, against North Vietnamese Army forces in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. On 16 February 1969, Company E was attacking south along an enemy road with the Third Platoon providing rear security. Intermittent sniper fire had been received throughout the day. In the afternoon the company halted to conduct a reconnaissance of a large area and to secure a stream-crossing site before continuing its movement. As the lead elements resumed the attack, Lance Corporal Blann observed a number of enemy troops flanking the company in an attempt to attack from the rear. Without hesitation he deployed his squad to counter the enemy’s movement as the sporadic sniper fire increased to a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic weapons fire. Lance Corporal Blann immediately evaluated the situation and maneuvered his squad with great professional skill into an assault position against the encircling enemy as one of his men was immediately wounded. Noticing the seriousness of the man’s wounds and hearing his painful cry for help, Lance Corporal Blann, while under an intense volume of fire and disregarding his own personal safety, moved into the open area to the wounded man. Shouting encouragement to his squad and continuing to direct the attack upon the enemy, Lance Corporal Blann shielded the wounded man with his own body by kneeling in front of him in line with the enemy fire. While trying to administer first aid and move the man to a safer position, Lance Corporal Blann was mortally wounded. By his extraordinary heroism and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Blann saved the life of his fellow Marine and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.