The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Raymond Charles Martin (MCSN: 1511600), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 March 1966. Suddenly engulfed by intense and devastating fire from small arms, automatic weapons, mortars, and recoilless rifles by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong battalion, the entire Marine company was pinned down and unable to advance. Facing the enemy on a one hundred eighty degree perimeter, the company decided to break the attack by splitting the Viet Cong positions in two. Displaying firm leadership and composure under fire, Sergeant Martin charged with his men over open fire-swept rice paddies to reach an enemy machine gun which his squad was employed to eliminate. He was seriously wounded during the final few meters of the attack, but ignoring his wounds he fought desperately to cover the remaining distance needed to close with the enemy position. He silenced the deadly hostile machine gun by hurling a hand grenade, and continuing the assault, he observed a fellow squad leader who had been hit by the machine gun just silenced. Finding him seriously wounded, Sergeant Martin was administering first aid when the company received a mortar concentration. As fragments began falling in his vicinity he placed his body over that of his fallen comrade, shielding him from further injury. In this position he was struck by fragments inflicting a mortal chest wound to which he succumbed a few hours later. Sergeant Martin’s exceptional fortitude and composure in the face of enemy fire, coupled with superior professional skill and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, were an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.