The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant [then Corporal] Richard Edward Moffit (MCSN: 2127413), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 16 and 17 May 1967. Company G was conducting a search and destroy operation during Operation HICKORY, south of the Demilitarized Zone, when it came under devastating enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire from a deeply entrenched and heavily defended North Vietnamese Army force. Sergeant Moffit’s squad was assigned the mission of clearing the enemy from cleverly concealed positions in the outlying hedgerows. As he diligently maneuvered his squad toward the objective, they were pinned down by a heavy volume of machine-gun fire. Quickly assessing the situation and with complete disregard for his own safety, he courageously jumped to his feet and charged directly at the enemy position, firing as he went. Upon reaching the position, he fearlessly jumped into the fighting hole, and single-handedly killed its two occupants. As the operation continued on 17 May 1967, the company again came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire which halted the forward elements. Once again he gallantly withstood the intense enemy fire as he single-handedly charged toward the enemy position, throwing grenades to overwhelm and kill the enemy gun crew. By his intrepid fighting spirit, exceptional fortitude and gallant initiative, Sergeant Moffit served to inspire all who observed him and contributed in large measure to the success of his unit. His great personal valor reflected the highest credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.