The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the

NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

                   LANCE CORPORAL STEPHEN D. VINCEL

                    UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

    CITATION:

                          "For heroic achievement while serving as a  Rifleman with Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 July 1969, while Company F was participating in Operation Pipestone Canyon in an area west of DaNang, the Marines came under a heavy volume of mortar, rocket-propelled grenade, and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying a well-fortified bunker complex.   Alertly pinpointing one of the principle sources of hostile fire, Lance Corporal Vincel than rushed to the rear entrance on an enemy bunker and boldly exposed himself to possible injury as he fired through the aperture.  When a hostile soldier occupying the bunker burst from the entrance to engage him in close combat, Lance Corporal Vincel quickly killed the hostile soldier.  His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the subsequent defeat of the enemy.  By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Vincel upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

For the Secretary of the Navy

H.W. BUSE, JR

Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps

Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific

V

STEPHEN D. VINCEL