The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the

NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

                 SERGEANT JOHN JAY ACE

             UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

    CITATION

               “For meritorious service while serving with Company F, Second Batallion, First Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam from 24 April to 1 December 1967.  Throughout this period, Sergeant ACE performed his demanding duties in an exemplary manner.  Initially assigned as a platoon guide, he joined his platoon immediately after the company had sustained numerous casualties while engaged with the enemy and he displayed outstanding professional ability and resourcefulness in ably assisting in the reorganization of his unit.  Reassigned as a squad leader, he demostrated exceptional leadership as he repeatedly led his unit in aggressive actions against the enemy.  On one occasion, during Operation Pike, he alertly observed several enemy soldiers.  Disregarding the intense hostile fire and skillfully maneuvering his men, he attacked the hostile force, killing three of the enemy and seizing their weapons without sustaining any Marine casualties.  As a Platoon Sergeant, on 7  September, he led a squad of swimmers across a river and, despite a heavy volume of enemy fire, skillfully deployed his men, forcing the enemy to withdraw.  Again, on 14 September, when one of his squads was pinned down by a numerically superior Viet Cong force, Sergeant ACE unhesitatingly led a relief unit to the beseiged Marines and forced the enemy to abandon numerous packs and equipment and flee in panic and confusion. His resolute determination and supurb leadership were an inspiration to all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit's mission.  By his professionalism, tireless initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout, Sergeant ACE upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.”

Sergeant ACE is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.

        FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,

                               V. H.  KRULAK

                  LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

     COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC

V