Charles Victor Porras, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Charles Victor Porras, Jr., Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman to an Assault Platoon of Company L, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu in the Palau Islands, on 22 September 1944. When one Marine was killed and two others were seriously wounded during an attempt to evacuate casualties in a reconnaissance patrol, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Porras unhesitatingly proceeded far in front of his own lines to aid his helpless comrades. Courageously advancing alone under a withering barrage from Japanese machine guns, he succeeded in treating and carrying back, unaided, four of the wounded men before he himself was fatally struck down by a burst of enemy fire. By his courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Porras undoubtedly saved many lives, and his steadfast devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 341 (August 1945)