NAVY CROSS

Lance Corporal Christopher K. Mosher, Kilo Company

Citation:    For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Forward Air Controller attached to Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.  On the morning of 13 May 1967, while moving to the support of another unit, Company K became pinned down by the concentrated machine gun and mortar fire from an estimated battalion of the North Vietnamese Army. Realizing the urgent need for supporting fire to relieve the pressure on the beleaguered unit, Lance Corporal Mosher unhesitatingly moved forward through the intense hostile fire in order to direct air strikes on the enemy positions. For five hours, he remained exposed to the enemy fire with complete disregard for his own safety while adjusting the air strikes and offering words of encouragement to wounded Marines. Utilizing his precise directions, the Marine aircraft delivered their ordnance with pinpoint accuracy. When Company M relieved his unit, Lance Corporal Mosher volunteered to remain at his positions to continue directing the air support and relay information on the enemy's location and strength to the air controllers attached to Company M. While briefing his counterparts, he was severely wounded in the back by enemy mortar fragments and was evacuated. His heroic efforts and superior skill contributed significantly to the accomplishments of his unit's mission. By his intrepid fighting spirit, uncommon courage, and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Mosher reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.