The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Martin E. O’Connor (MCSN: 0-72430), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Senior Marine Advisor to Brigade B, Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 5 November 1969, while Major O’Connor was aboard the command and control helicopter which was supporting Amphibious Task Force 211 during a combat operation in the U Minh Forest, a United States Army light observation aircraft was severely damaged by enemy fire and crash-landed in a rice paddy. When the helicopter in which Major O’Connor was riding landed in an adjacent rice paddy, it sustained damage from hostile fire. Nevertheless, Major O’Connor exited the aircraft and, making his way with a companion toward the downed helicopter, met the two occupants and assisted them back to the command and control helicopter. At that moment, another observation aircraft was downed approximately forty meters distant and again Major O’Connor left the relative security of his helicopter. Heedless of the enemy rounds impacting all around him, he waded across the rice paddy as hostile rockets set the stricken aircraft afire and caused secondary explosions. Although grenades were detonating within, Major O’Connor boarded and lowered the temporarily dazed and blinded observer to the ground and then dragged him through the enemy fusillade to the command and control helicopter. Subsequently, before the helicopter took off, he rescued one of the crewmen who was seriously wounded. Major O’Connor’s heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several United States Army personnel. By his courage, selfless concern for his fellowmen, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, he upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.