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The
President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To
Anthony
L. Viggiani
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
For
Services as Set Forth in the Following
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism
in action against Anti-Coalition Force Militia in Zabol Province,
Afghanistan, serving as a squad leader for Charlie Company, Battalion
Landing Team, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Twenty-Second Marine
Expeditionary Unit, deployed with commander, United States Fifth Fleet
during Operation Enduring Freedom 3 June 2004. While leading a company
assault against an enemy held ridgeline north of the village of
Khabargho, Sergeant Viggiani and his squadron came under heavy and
accurate fire from an enemy force well entrenched inside a cave, pinning
down one of his teams and wounding two of his Marines. Moving across
exposed ground, under observation and fire from an adjacent enemy
position, Sergeant Viggiani maneuvered to the cave opening, but
achieving no effect on the enemy. Braving enemy fire from the adjacent
enemy position, he went back to retrieve a fragmentation grenade. Again,
under a hail of fire, he moved to within feet of the cave opening and
employed the grenade to eliminate the enemy position, which was actively
firing upon friendly forces. Killing three enemy fighters, Sergeant
Viggiani destroyed the enemy strongpoint and allowed his company to
continue their advance up to the ridgeline, solidly defeating the enemy
by killing a total of fourteen Anti-Coalition fighters. In the process,
he was wounded by rifle fire from the adjacent enemy position, yet he
continued to lead his Marines in the attack. By his outstanding display
of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of enemy fire and
utmost dedication to duty, Sergeant Viggiani reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
United States Naval Service.
Born:
at Strongsville, Ohio
Home Town:
Strongsville, Ohio
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