The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lance Corporal Lawrence M. Eades (MCSN: 2231362), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Combined Action Company P, Third Combined Action Group, III Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 2 February 1968, Corporal Hades’ unit came under intense enemy small-arms, automatic weapons, mortar and rocket fire supporting an aggressive ground assault by a North Vietnamese Army battalion. Reacting instantly, Corporal Eades ran across the fire swept terrain to his defensive position and commenced delivering a heavy volume of accurate machine-gun fire upon the attacking force. Observing an enemy platoon attempting to penetrate the perimeter to his right, he quickly directed a deadly volume of fire at the onrushing enemy hordes, and although the enemy concentrated their fire at him, he steadfastly remained in his precarious position firing belt after belt of ammunition as the enemy rounds erupted around him. As the enemy closed within hand grenade range of his position, Corporal Eades stood up in the intense enemy fire to better observe them and fire his weapon. Although wounded by an enemy rocket round, he resolutely stood his ground and single-handedly drove off the advancing enemy force. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting ability and loyal devotion to duty, Corporal Eades was instrumental in repulsing a numerically superior enemy force, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.