yellowwing
08-28-05, 01:49 PM
Ambrose, Gerald D.
Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Co. M, 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: January 8, 1970
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to Lance Corporal Gerald D. Ambrose, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Company M. Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On the night of 8 January 1970, Lance Corporal Ambrose was leading a ten-man joint combat patrol consisting of four United States Marines and six Republic of Vietnam Regional Forces soldiers when the unit came under a heavy volume of fire from approximately twenty-five enemy soldiers near the village of Chau Son 1 in Quang Nam Province.
Ignoring the hostile rounds and grenades impacting around him, Lance Corporal Ambrose quickly deployed his men and initiated an aggressive assault against the enemy positions. When a hand grenade exploded near him, he sustained several serious wounds but steadfastly refused medical attention.
Shouting encouragement to his men, he relentlessly pressed the advance, personally accounting for five enemy killed. During the ensuing fierce fire fight, he repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fusillade as he called directions to his companions and maintained the momentum of the attack until the enemy was forced to retreat, abandoning numerous weapons, documents containing information of intelligence value, and four troops who were captured.
Although suffering intense pain and bleeding profusely, Lance Corporal Ambrose again refused medical assistance and, with his last remaining strength, led his unit and the four captured wounded enemy safely back over 1,200 meters of heavily booby-trapped enemy territory to a secure base.
His heroic and resolute actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in defeating a determined numerically superior hostile force. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Ambrose contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Co. M, 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: January 8, 1970
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to Lance Corporal Gerald D. Ambrose, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Company M. Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On the night of 8 January 1970, Lance Corporal Ambrose was leading a ten-man joint combat patrol consisting of four United States Marines and six Republic of Vietnam Regional Forces soldiers when the unit came under a heavy volume of fire from approximately twenty-five enemy soldiers near the village of Chau Son 1 in Quang Nam Province.
Ignoring the hostile rounds and grenades impacting around him, Lance Corporal Ambrose quickly deployed his men and initiated an aggressive assault against the enemy positions. When a hand grenade exploded near him, he sustained several serious wounds but steadfastly refused medical attention.
Shouting encouragement to his men, he relentlessly pressed the advance, personally accounting for five enemy killed. During the ensuing fierce fire fight, he repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fusillade as he called directions to his companions and maintained the momentum of the attack until the enemy was forced to retreat, abandoning numerous weapons, documents containing information of intelligence value, and four troops who were captured.
Although suffering intense pain and bleeding profusely, Lance Corporal Ambrose again refused medical assistance and, with his last remaining strength, led his unit and the four captured wounded enemy safely back over 1,200 meters of heavily booby-trapped enemy territory to a secure base.
His heroic and resolute actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in defeating a determined numerically superior hostile force. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Ambrose contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.