The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Richard F. Conklin (MCSN: 2251197), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Field Artillery Batteryman with Battery D, Second Battalion, Thirteenth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 May 1968, Corporal Conklin was a member of a detachment of two howitzers at the United States Army Special Forces camp at Ngok Tavak in Quang Tin Province. In the early morning hours, the camp was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion which penetrated the camp’s defensive wire in two places, and, utilizing grenades, mortars, B-40 rockets, and automatic weapons, attempted to overrun the hill-top position. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Corporal Conklin manned a .30-caliber machine gun and delivered a heavy volume of accurate fire against the enemy reaching the crest of the hill. Sustaining heavy casualties from the machine-gun fire, the enemy concentrated its automatic weapons fire on his position and attacked it with grenades. Although seriously wounded by grenade fragments, Corporal Conklin resolutely remained at his position and continued to deliver effective fire on the assaulting North Vietnamese. Observing numerous grenades land in his position, he quickly retrieved them and threw them back at the enemy. Wounded a second time by grenade fragments, he temporarily lapsed into unconsciousness and slumped over the weapon, severely burning himself on the hot barrel. Regaining consciousness, he continued to deliver fire for another fifteen minutes until he collapsed from his multiple wounds. When he was subsequently evacuated, three unexploded grenades were found in his emplacement. By his exemplary courage, unfaltering determination, and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Conklin was instrumental in repulsing the enemy assault and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.