The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Walter C. Shonk (MCSN: 1137377), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 10 June 1951. When his squad temporarily halted its attack to allow four enemy soldiers to approach with hands raised in token of surrender, when the four supposed prisoners suddenly took advantage of the situation to begin a vicious hand grenade attack, Private First Class Shonk courageously remained in his exposed position to cut down all four with bursts from his gun. Although bleeding from multiple wounds caused by the hostile grenades, he charged forward in a fierce assault on concealed enemy positions from which a hail of small-arms fire had begun simultaneously with the grenade attack. Boldly pressing his assault, he killed four more of the enemy occupying a well-hidden bunker and, despite further wounds received during this action, aggressively continued his attack until he was ordered to seek medical treatment. By his daring initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, he was responsible for neutralizing two serious attempts on the security of his unit and thereby served to inspire all who observed him. His valiant devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Shonk and the United States Naval Service.