The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Robert Charles Rusher (MCSN: 2278308), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Combined Action Platoon Hotel-6, Third Combined Action Group, at Nuoc Ngot Village, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 7 January 1968, Corporal Rusher’s compound came under heavy enemy mortar, rocket, and ground attack including sappers and enemy troops attempting to gain entry into the compound. Corporal Rusher fearlessly and courageously rallied his men and began delivering accurate fire on the enemy soldiers who were returning fire and detonating satchel charges. During the heat of the battle, two enemy soldiers, firing small arms and carrying a satchel charge, dashed toward Corporal Rusher and a fellow Marine. With deliberate and exacting fire, Corporal Rusher killed both, but not before the enemy soldiers were successful in hurling their satchel charges at him and his comrade. Displaying extraordinary heroism, Corporal Rusher placed himself between the impending blast and his comrade, thereby protecting his fellow Marine with his own body. As the charge detonated, Corporal Rusher absorbed the full brunt of the explosion and was mortally wounded. By his dauntless courage, intrepid fighting spirit and grave concern for another, he served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.