The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Lloyd Woods (MCSN: 2245531), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Radio Operator with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 June 1967. During Operation UNION II, Corporal Woods’ company came under intense enemy automatic weapons, small arms and mortar fire which temporarily pinned down the first platoon in an exposed rice paddy. In the initial burst of fire, the platoon sustained numerous casualties, including the platoon commander. Upon observing his wounded commander lying exposed to the intense enemy fire, he unhesitatingly ran through the heavy volume of fire to his side, placed him on his shoulder and carried him to a position of relative safety. Then, rallying four companions, he again moved across the open rice paddy to evacuate another wounded Marine who was lying in close proximity to an enemy machine gun position. Upon reaching the wounded man and realizing it was impossible to move him because of the enemy machine gun fire, he boldly maneuvered into the tree line towards the enemy position, and single-handedly assaulted the gun, killing the gunner and capturing his weapon. He then boldly leaped into the adjacent emplacement and, in fierce hand-to-hand combat, killed that gunner and commenced to fire the enemy machine gun against other hostile positions, providing cover while his companions evacuated the wounded man. As a result of Corporal Woods’ courageous actions, his unit was able to regroup and succeeded in evacuating its casualties to positions of safety. By his intrepid fighting spirit, exceptional fortitude and gallant initiative, Corporal Woods inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.