The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lance Corporal David A. Verheyn (MCSN: 2117334), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Team Leader with the Second Platoon, Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 3 February 1967, while on an eleven-man reconnaissance patrol deep in enemy controlled territory, Lance Corporal Verheyn’s unit was attacked by an estimated sixty Viet Cong. In the initial moments of the fire fight, the Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader were killed. Displaying outstanding initiative and presence of mind, he assumed command of the patrol, organized defensive positions and directed the fire of his men. Despite the intense fire, Lance Corporal Verheyn disregarded his personal safety to move from position to position, administering medical aid to his wounded companions. Subsequently, he was wounded by fragments from a Viet Cong grenade while he was directing fire at the enemy and shouting words of encouragement to his men. Ignoring his painful wounds, Lance Corporal Verheyn attempted to repair two radios which had been damaged by enemy fire in order to establish communications with higher headquarters. As the volume of fire momentarily decreased, he moved the wounded to a position of safety and prevented the Viet Cong from capturing their weapons. After distributing ammunition and improving the patrol’s defensive positions, Lance Corporal Verheyn remained alert throughout the night for the possibility of another Viet Cong attack. At daylight, he used smoke grenades to signal relief helicopters and skillfully directed the aircraft into the landing zone. Assured that all of his patrol members were safely loaded aboard the helicopter, he searched the vacated positions, making sure that there were no weapons left behind. Lance Corporal Verheyn’s inspiring leadership, steadfast courage, bold initiative, and unswerving devotion to duty under extremely hazardous conditions undoubtedly saved numerous Marine lives, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.