The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Gerald Gladden Tidwell (MCSN: 0-50417), 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 Commander in Company B, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, during the evacuation of friendly forces from Hungnam, Korea, on 24 December 1950. When a large fire in an ammunition dump threatened to destroy several near-by amphibian tractors with crews on board, Second Lieutenant Tidwell requested and received permission to move the vehicles to a place of safety. Racing fearlessly down the beach, he warned tractor crews and other personnel in the vicinity to evacuate the danger area immediately. When the fire gained momentum and exploded the ammunition dump, he was mortally wounded, still gallantly attempting to wave vehicles off the beach to safety. His quick and courageous initiative and self-sacrificing efforts in saving the vitally needed amphibian tractors and their crews reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Tidwell and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.