The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lance Corporal George O. Norwood (MCSN: 2060343), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 March 1966. During Operation Utah, Corporal Norwood’s unit was subjected to devastating fire from a hedgerow that concealed fortified machine gun bunkers and a trench line from which the Viet Cong were firing automatic weapons. Observing that his squad leader had been wounded, Corporal Norwood immediately assumed command of the squad and continued the assault on the enemy positions. Although two of his fellow Marines already had been killed attempting to destroy the machine gun position, he twice assaulted the bunker, firing his automatic weapon and throwing grenades. Each time he was forced to withdraw due to the withering fire from the trench line and nearby concealed automatic weapons. Undaunted, he made a third attempt and accurately hurled a grenade which neutralized the fire and enabled his squad to move forward and destroy the bunker. Although he was painfully wounded in the arm and face by enemy grenade fragments, he shunned evacuation and proceeded to position his men and direct fire which minimized the enemy counterattack which followed. By his uncommon courage in the face of almost certain death, intrepid fighting spirit and unfaltering dedication to duty throughout, Corporal Norwood upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.