Navy Cross Citation:
“Navy Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING
Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Captain
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain George R. Christmas (MCSN: 0-85447), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as the Commanding Officer of Company H, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On the afternoon of 5 February 1968 during Operation HUE CITY, Company H was attacking a complex of buildings known to be an enemy strong point consisting of mutually supporting bunkers, fighting holes, and trench lines. During the ensuing fire fight, two platoons seized the corner building of a city block, but intense hostile small-arms, automatic weapons, and B-40 rocket fire temporarily halted the advance.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need to sustain the momentum of the attack, Captain Christmas, undaunted by the heavy volume of enemy fire, completely disregarded his own safety as he moved across thirty-five meters of open area to join the lead element and assess the situation. Returning across the fire-swept area, he rejoined the remaining platoon, issued an attack order, and then ran seventy meters across open terrain, ignoring automatic weapons fire, hand grenades, and satchel charges striking around him to reach a tank he had requested.
Braving enemy fire and two B-40 rockets that hit the tank, he fearlessly stood atop the vehicle to direct accurate fire against the hostile positions until the intensity of enemy fire diminished. Immediately realizing the tactical advantage, he jumped from the tank, and directed his company in an aggressive assault on the hostile positions, personally leading his men in room-to-room fighting until the building complex was secured.
In a large measure due to his bold initiative and courageous actions, he provided the impetus which inspired his men to aggressive action and enabled them to successfully accomplish the mission. By his dynamic leadership, unfaltering determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Captain Christmas upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”-https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/4290
“…George Ronald Christmas (born March 11, 1940)[1] is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. Christmas was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for valor in 1968, during the Vietnam War. He served on active duty in the Marine Corps for 34 years, retiring in 1996.[2] After retirement, he served as the President and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for 15 years.[3]
Christmas was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1962 through the NROTC program. After completion of The Basic School at MCB Quantico in Virginia, he was assigned as a platoon leader in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He later served as the battalion personnel officer for 3rd Battalion. While at Camp Lejeune, he was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1963. He augmented into the regular Marine Corps in 1965.
In May 1965, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks, 8th & I in Washington, D.C., where he served as the executive officer, and upon promotion to captain in June 1966, as commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Company.
He transferred to South Vietnam in July 1967, where he served successively as commanding officer, Service Company, Headquarters Battalion, and Commanding Officer, Company H, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, FMF. During the Battle for Hue City in 1968, Christmas was seriously wounded and evacuated to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. For his actions of “extraordinary heroism”[5] in Hue City on February 5, 1968, he was awarded the Navy Cross.[6]
After recovering from his wounds, in October 1968, he was assigned to the staff of The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia; he subsequently attended the Amphibious Warfare School, graduating with distinction. Following graduation in July 1969, he was assigned as an instructor at the U.S. Army’s John F. Kennedy Institute for Military Assistance, Fort Bragg, North Carolina…”-https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_R._Christmas