Howard L. Cousins, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Howard L. Cousins, Jr. (0-12974), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Acting Adjutant of the Second Battalion, Twenty- First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, 26 July 1944. When Japanese forces broke through the beachhead line and threatened the regimental command post and beach area, First Lieutenant Cousins immediately volunteered to organize all available men to repel the assault. Gathering together cooks, engineers and storekeepers, he launched a furious counterattack against the hostile troops and, inspiring his men to further heights of endeavor by his own heroic efforts, personally accounted for fifteen of the enemy as his valiant men annihilated the hostile forces in the area. By his prompt, decisive actions, aggressive leadership and zealous devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Cousins prevented a possible disastrous break-through, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 00435 (September 13, 1946)