Johnnie M. Kennedy

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Johnnie M. Kennedy (598516), Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 39th Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, on 19 April 1965. While conducting a search and destroy mission four kilometers west of Thang Binh in Quang Tin Province, a composite battalion-size force of armored personnel carriers, Vietnamese Infantry and Marines located on the battalion’s flank was routed by two Viet Cong battalions and began to withdraw through the Ranger Battalion area. Sergeant Kennedy left his protected position and attempted to stop the retreating friendly forces and establish them in defensive positions. Although the heavy enemy fire forced the regrouping of his position on three occasions, he unceasingly rallied the men around him and by his personal example inspired several of the Vietnamese officers to try to hold the withdrawing troops. During the action he personally inflicted 25 casualties among the enemy and saved 75 friendly troops from imminent capture. His cool and skillful leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and fearless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.