John Herman Line

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John Herman Line, Gunner’s Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving as a member of Naval Combat Demolition Unit TWENTY-TWO (NCDU-22), during the amphibious assault on the Normandy Coast of France on 6 June 1944. Gunner’s Mate Second Class Line’s Combat Demolitions Unit’s mission was to land on the beach at H-hour-plus-3-minutes minutes and blow a fifty yard gap in the enemy-placed obstacles on the beach. Although half of the crew were killed before their mission was completed, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Line with surviving members carried on and successfully completed their mission in the face of heavy enemy gunfire. After successfully completing this mission, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Line directed incoming craft through the gap which had been blown. He exposed himself on numerous occasions while administering to and removing wounded personnel to places of safety. His display of courage and devotion to duty on this occasion reflects the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 334 (January 1945)