The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Meron A. Richal (MCSN: 0-823), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism, coolness, and excellent judgment in the performance of duty in command of a Marine patrol in an engagement at Las Cruces, Nicaragua, on 1 January 1928. When attacked on this occasion by a vastly superior force, Lieutenant Richal rushed to the advance guard position through a devastating fire, and although shot through the eye in the early stages of the fighting made a heroic effort to direct the fire and action of his command until forcefully taken to the rear where he collapsed.