The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Eugene James Lutz (MCSN: 972289), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Leader of a Machine-Gun Section of Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 26 June 1951. Although painfully wounded when the platoon was subjected to a heavy enemy mortar barrage while preparing defensive positions, Sergeant Lutz bravely rushed to the assistance of another casualty lying helpless in an exposed area. Undaunted by the hail of fire from a second hostile mortar attack, he gallantly placed himself across the body of the stricken man and, although sustaining an additional shrapnel wound in the back, boldly maintained his hazardous position to protect the wounded Marine from further injury. When the enemy barrage lifted, he assisted a corpsman in tending the wounded man, refusing treatment for his own wounds until all other casualties had received attention. By his outstanding courage, valiant devotion to duty and selfless efforts in behalf of his comrades, Sergeant Lutz upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.