Ralph G. Anderson

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ralph G. Anderson (278510), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Leader of a Machine-Gun Section serving the Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, First Provisional Marine Brigade, Third Amphibious Corps, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Guam, Marianas Islands, on 27 July 1944. With his company pinned down by intense hostile machine-gun fire during a sudden, vicious attack by the Japanese, Sergeant Anderson immediately brought his guns up under the enemy’s fierce opposition to deliver counterfire on the Japanese positions. When his number-one gunner was seriously wounded by mortar fire, Sergeant Anderson promptly replaced him then, valiantly exposing himself to the withering barrage, crawled to the side of the injured man and was himself mortally wounded while administering first aid to his comrade. By his daring aggressiveness, his decisive action and great personal valor in voluntarily risking his life for another, Sergeant Anderson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 004063 (January 1, 1945)