The  Secretary  of  the  Navy  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the
NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

       CITATION:

              "For  heroic  achievement  while  serving  as a  Radioman  with Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines in connection with combat  operations  against the enemy in  the Republic of Vietnam.  On the  night of  10 July 1968,  Corporal McCarty  volunteered for a recon- naissance  patrol assigned  the mission of  locating  routes  of  approach into  the  flank of  an area  containing a  North Vietnamese Army  com- pany.  After the  seven-man patrol had maneuvered undetected  into the enemy area,  two members moved  forward to search a  bunker complex while the remainder provided security.  Sighting two enemy soldiers, the two men forward  established an ambush and  killed the hostile  soldiers when they entered the area of the bunker.  Almost immediately,  numer- ous  North Vietnamese  soldiers  began  closing on  the  patrol  from  all sides.    Ignoring  the   hail  of  enemy  fire  directed  at  him,   Corporal McCarty, who was covering the left flank, began delivering deadly accu- rate  fire at  the enemy,  while the two point  men completed  a search of the soldiers they had killed.  Largely as a result of his heroic actions, the attacking  enemy soldiers  were delayed and  the team was  able to move from the area.   It was later discovered that one of  the soldiers killed  in the  ambush was a high ranking enemy  official carrying plans and over- lays for an attack on the DaNang area.   By his courage,  bold initiative, and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal McCarty inspired  all who  observed him  and upheld  the finest  traditions  of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.