The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Seaman Gregory O. Hampton, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 20 August 1969 while serving with friendly foreign forces as a member of River Assault Division 535, River Patrol Flotilla FIVE, Task Force 116 (TF-116), engaged in armed conflict against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam. As an M-60 machine-gun operator, Seaman Hampton took part in a two-boat night patrol on the Vam Co Dong River. When sounds of approaching personnel on the beach were detected, his unit held its fire, due to lack of visibility, until a better target could be obtained. Suddenly, a hand grenade was tossed aboard his patrol boat and landed in the darkness. Quick to act, Seaman Hampton called to all personnel to take cover, dived across the wet slippery deck, succeeded in locating the lethal weapon, and hurled it over the side of the patrol boat. As the grenade hit the water, it exploded and showered the craft with water and shrapnel. Seaman Hampton then manned the M-60 machine gun and began to deliver suppressive fire on the suspected enemy position until his boat could clear the kill zone. His craft received one rocket round close aboard as it cleared the zone. Discovering that no damage had been inflicted, the patrol boat returned to make a second firing run on the enemy position. By his daring initiative, unfaltering courage, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, Seaman Hampton was directly instrumental in saving many lives, along with his patrol boat. His unswerving devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.