The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lance Corporal Edward F. Starrett (MCSN: 2573512), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Mortar Gunner with Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 9 December 1970, while occupying a position in defense of a hamlet in Que Son District of Quang Nam Province, a unit of Marines and Regional Forces soldiers came under ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by intense mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire. During the initial moments of the assault, Lance Corporal Starrett was wounded when an enemy mortar damaged the bunker in which he was located. Although momentarily stunned, he recovered quickly and ran across the fire-swept terrain to his mortar position. As he commenced firing illumination rounds, a grenade landed in the pit he occupied, but he escaped further injury by quickly diving out of the emplacement. Returning to his gun, he found it inoperable and also observed that some of the hostile soldiers had penetrated the defensive perimeter. Observing one of the enemy preparing to hurl a hand grenade at the communications center, he prevented this action with an accurate burst of fire. Lance Corporal Starrett then commenced firing at the advancing enemy soldiers and immediately became a target for enemy grenades. Although wounded again, he continued his vigorous defense of the position, accounting for two more hostile soldiers and preventing further penetration at that point. Later, he stood in full view of the enemy, and seemingly oblivious to the grenades detonating around him, fired round after round into the attacking unit. Sustaining numerous casualties, the enemy was forced to retreat. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lance Corporal Starrett was greatly instrumental in repelling a determined enemy force and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.