The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunnery Sergeant Talmadge R. Downing (MCSN: 1176720), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Weapons Platoon Sergeant with Company M, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 5 March 1966. During Operation UTAH in Quang Ngai Province, Sergeant Downing was serving with an assault element which was engaged in seizing the battalion objective held by units of a North Vietnamese regiment. As the battle progressed, one of the Marine machine gun squads and a rifle squad were pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire and hand grenades originating from concealed, fortified positions. When fire from maneuvering friendly forces endangered a group of Marine casualties, Sergeant Downing exhibited exceptional presence of mind, gallantly exposing himself, shouting and giving hand signals until the errant fire was corrected. In his daring effort, he sustained a painful shoulder wound from an enemy grenade. Undaunted, he directed and helped the wounded men to a relatively safe position. With forceful leadership, he organized an assault unit which attacked and destroyed a position which was manned by a numerically superior enemy force. He single-handedly destroyed another enemy position with his pistol and a hand grenade. Running low on ammunition, he calmly picked up an automatic weapon from a destroyed enemy position and courageously directed the final assault on the Viet Cong strongpoint, personally hurling the grenade which completely silenced the position. His gallant effort contributed in large measure to the success of Operation UTAH. By his extraordinary leadership, resolute fighting spirit and selfless dedication to duty throughout, Sergeant Downing upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.