The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Rollins Mason Bryant (MCSN: 561257), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in 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. During a company attack against a heavily defended enemy strong point located on a hill in the vicinity of Tumae-ri, Staff Sergeant Bryant fearlessly led one of his squads through a succession of hostile trenches and bunkers in the face of a hail of bullets and grenades, fought his way to the objective and deployed his men and machine guns in defensive positions despite the constant barrage of enemy mortar and artillery fire. When the platoon leader became a casualty, Staff Sergeant Bryant unhesitatingly assumed command and, although painfully wounded a short time later by hostile mortar fragments, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to supervise the reorganization of the unit. Throughout several hours of intensive action, he continually moved from one position to another, establishing communications, redistributing ammunition, shouting words of encouragement to his men and assisting his comrades. Despite severe pain and loss of blood, he bravely refused to be evacuated and continued to direct the fire of his squads until he was mortally wounded by hostile mortar fragments. By his outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and valiant devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Bryant was greatly instrumental in the success of the company’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.