The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Major [then Captain] Donald Edward Koelper (MCSN: 0-60953), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with the bombing of the Capital Kinh-Do Theater in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, on the evening of 16 February 1964, while serving as an Advisor attached to the Fourth Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion. Upon becoming aware of a bomb being placed in the lobby of the theater, Major Koelper, who was standing nearby with a companion, unhesitatingly entered the main area of the theater and shouted to the occupants, United States servicemen and their dependents, to take cover. This warning provided the time for numerous unsuspecting individuals to obtain cover by lying between the rows of the seats. Seconds later the bomb exploded, fatally wounding Major Koelper and another person, and injuring approximately fifty others. Through his prompt and courageous actions in warning the theater patrons of the imminent explosion, Major Koelper undoubtedly saved many from serious injury or possible death. His self-sacrificing efforts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.