Robert James Schley

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Robert James Schley (2162020), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Machine Gun Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the vicinity of Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 30 April 1967. During a search and destroy mission, Company M was assigned the mission of seizing and securing Hill 881, a strategic area commanding the approaches into the Khe Sanh complex. While advancing on the numerically stronger, well-trained and equipped enemy in fortified positions, Corporal Schley’s squad was taken under a heavy volume of intense and accurate enemy fire. Realizing the necessity of immediate counter action to suppress enemy fire, he unhesitatingly advanced to position himself and his machine gun team where they could deliver the most effective fire on the enemy. Due to his accurate and well controlled fire, Corporal Schley was able to inflict numerous casualties upon the enemy. As the intensity of the conflict increased and the ammunition depleted, he exposed himself to intense enemy fire to re- supply the gun. Painfully wounded in the shoulder during this task, he refused medical attention and evacuation to return to his machine gun and continue firing. Wounded a second time and finding himself the only member of his team able to fight, he bravely continued to man his weapon until he succumbed to his wounds. By his dauntless courage, initiative and indomitable fighting spirit, he served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.