Charles Russell Lauer

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Charles Russell Lauer (2214200), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a Crew Chief with Company A, Third Amphibian Tractor Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 June 1967. Following an assault by three amphibian tractors, Hill 11 continued to receive heavy, accurate, automatic fire from tree lines to the right and left and tunnels and bunkers on the hill itself. As a platoon of infantry endeavored to reach the hill, vicious enemy fire cut down the Platoon Commander, his radio operator and another Marine. Corporal Lauer was at this time manning a machine gun mounted atop his amphibian tractor. With complete disregard for his own safety, he nonetheless ordered his tractor forward and dropped its ramp to pull in the wounded. At this time the enemy concentrated its already intense fire on the medical evacuation in progress by his vehicle. Unhesitatingly and knowing the intimate danger involved, he elected to stay by the gun to deliver accurate counter fire into the surrounding tree lines. When the incoming fire became so intense that it began ripping into the interior of the tractor and endangering the wounded, he ordered his tractor to be turned stern to the fire, so that the engine could shield the casualties. At this time Corporal Lauer elected to remain atop the tractor to cover for another group of wounded, fully mindful of the intense danger. With enemy fire ripping across his tractor from two sides, he began to shift his position, and was mortally wounded. By his daring initiative, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of imminent danger, Corporal Lauer was responsible for saving many of his comrades and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.