The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the

NAVY CROSS MEDAL

to

HOSPITALMAN 3RD CLASS ROBERTO SERRANO

​UNITED STATES NAVY (FMF)

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Roberto Serrano, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with a Marine infantry company of the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in Korea on 12 September 1951. Serving as a Medical Corpsman, Hospitalman Serrano was moving with the assault platoon in the attack of a heavily fortified and strongly defended enemy hill position, when the unit was subjected to intense and accurate mortar and small arms fire from well concealed bunkers. As he was fearlessly dashing through the heavy enemy fire to reach a wounded Marine, he accidentally tripped the wire of a hidden anti-personnel mine. Hearing the snap of the fuse primer, and realizing that his wounded comrade lay helpless beside the deadly explosive, he courageously and with complete disregard for his own personal safety threw himself on the man to shield him from the explosion. Although he was seriously wounded in the back and legs by fragments, and was blown several feet by the concussion, he crawled back to his comrade and administered first aid to him. Although suffering severe pain from his multiple wounds, he refused to seek medical aid for himself until he had completed treatment of his comrade, and then, refusing a stretcher, crawled part of the way to the aid station. Hospitalman Serrano's display of outstanding courage and devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.