Ricardo C . Binns Ricardo C . Binns was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps and a recipient of the Navy Cross for actions in the Battle of Hill 488 of the Vietnam War . Biography . Binns was born in The Bronx , New York on 25 December 1945 . In 1963 , he enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island . He was subsequently trained in an infantry specialty as an anti - tank assaultman , assigned the Military Occupational Specialty code of 0351 . He was then assigned to 1st Battalion 8th Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune until he volunteered for duty in the Vietnam War . There , he served with a military police unit until assigned to 2nd Battalion 9th Marines . He was reassigned to Company C of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion after volunteering for training as a reconnaissanceman and was awarded a meritorious promotion to Lance Corporal . On the evening of 13 June 1966 , Binns ' s platoon of 18 , under the leadership of then - Staff Sergeant Jimmie E . Howard were dropped behind enemy lines atop Hill 488 , known to locals as Nui Vu , near Chu Lai and Tam Kỳ , with a mission to observe enemy troop movements in the Hiệp Đức Valley , and call in artillery and airstrike s . Within two days , the North Vietnamese Army detected the observation post and descended on them in force . On the night of the 15th , a nearby Army Special Forces team radioed warning that a full battalion of about 200 to 250 regulars and several Viet Cong were closing in . At 2200 that night , Binns fired the first shots from his M14 rifle , and the enemy soon engaged the Marines too close for their fire support to assist , though a C - 47 did deploy flares for illumination . Binns exposed himself numerous times to recover wounded personnel despite his own wounds , as he was distributing ammunition and taking charge when Howard was wounded or busy on the radio . Late into the night of the 15th , as Marines traded taunts with the enemy , desperate pilots began dangerously close close air support missions By dawn on the 16th , the beleaguered platoon held their position , killing approximately 200 enemies at a cost of 6 of the platoon in the 12 hours of intense fighting . Binns was one of four Navy Cross recipients during the battle , while Howard would be awarded the Medal of Honor and the remaining thirteen received Silver Star s . Wounded in the battle , Binns refused assistance once a company from 1st Battalion 5th Marines arrived to relieve the Marines . Awarded his second Purple Heart , he was unable to fully recover , placed on a temporary retirement list and eventually medically discharged in 1971 . He currently resides in Idaho . Navy Cross Citation . The President of the United States Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Navy Cross To Corporal Ricardo C . Binns United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following CITATION : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal [ then Lance Corporal ] Ricardo C . Binns , United States Marine Corps , for extraordinary heroism as a Scout Team Leader , Company C , First Force Reconnaissance Battalion , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , Fleet Marine Force , in the Republic of Vietnam on the night of 15 – 16 June 1966 . Corporal Binns ' platoon established an observation post deep within communist controlled territory to observe enemy movement . At 0100 a massive assault was launched against the Marine position by a determined and well - trained North Vietnamese battalion . The murderous enemy fire was so intense that five of the eighteen - man platoon were killed and the remainder wounded . On two separate occasions , with complete disregard for his personal safety , Corporal Binns braved the withering enemy fire to forcibly pull to the ground severely wounded Marines who had unconsciously exposed themselves to almost certain death . Realizing that his Platoon Leader was wounded and unable to move , and preoccupied with the direction of close support aircraft , Corporal Binns took it upon himself to direct the fire of the remaining seven Marines , redistribute the ammunition of those who could not use it , and care for the wounded . Although painfully wounded in both legs , Corporal Binns displayed magnificent courage throughout the night and long into the following morning . His selfless devotion to duty , superb professional skill , deep concern for his fellow Marines , and extraordinary heroism inspired all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service .