The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Robert F. Touchette (MCSN: 409195), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 28 May 1952. With the platoon fighting its way through barbed wire, minefields and intense hostile machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire during the initial assault against a strongly defended enemy hill in the vicinity of Tumae-ri, Sergeant Touchette bravely remained in the forefront of the attack and delivered effective machine-gun fire into the hostile bunkers and trenches. When his squad was pinned down by enemy machine-gun fire from a heavily fortified bunker while halfway to the objective, he boldly charged the obstacle with hand grenades in a daring attempt to wipe out the emplacement and killed two of the occupants, enabling his unit to resume the advance. Although seriously wounded in the right arm and in both legs, he refused to be evacuated and continued to move forward in the assault, shouted words of encouragement to his men and skillfully directed their fire until the objective had been secured. His exceptional courage, inspiring leadership and valiant fighting spirit were major factors in the ultimate destruction of the hostile force and reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Touchette and the United States Naval Service.