Stanley James Sharp, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Stanley James Sharp, Jr., Quartermaster Second Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving on board the U.S.S. LCI (L) TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (LCI(L)-212), during an enemy air raid on the harbor of Palermo, Sicily, on 1 August 1943. When hostile bombs closely straddled his ship, setting fire to gasoline stored on the dock to which she was moored, and to ammunition loaded in a nearby merchant vessel, Quartermaster Second Class Sharp was seriously wounded by flying bomb fragments. Although in great pain and bleeding profusely, he manned the helm and engine room telegraphs and courageously remained at his station over an hour without revealing the extent of his injuries until his ship was anchored in a safer berth. The conduct of Quartermaster Sharp throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 326 (May 1944)