The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Kenneth A. Korkow (MCSN: 2258125), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Mortar Section Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 30 March 1968. During a search and destroy operation in the vicinity of the Khe Sanh Combat Base, Company B suddenly came under intense small-arms and mortar fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Fearlessly exposing himself to the hostile fire, Corporal Korkow quickly deployed his mortar section into firing positions and, moving about the fire-swept terrain from one squad to another, directed heavy barrages of accurate fire against the enemy, destroying four fortified bunkers. Alertly detecting a hidden mortar site which was pinning down elements of his company, he advanced to a position dangerously open to enemy fire and, employing his own mortar, single-handedly destroyed the hostile emplacement. As the battle intensified, Corporal Korkow repeatedly disregarded his own safety as he moved from one position to another, encouraging his men and directing their fire. Observing a Marine fall wounded by an enemy explosive device, he selflessly rushed into the hazardous area and assisted his injured comrade to an aid station established to the rear of his company. Although seriously wounded while returning to the forward area after assisting more casualties to the aid station, Corporal Korkow resolutely continued to encourage and assist his men and comfort the wounded until he was medically evacuated. His intrepid fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the final defeat of the numerically superior enemy force. By his uncommon valor and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Korkow reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.