Quinten G. Nelson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Quinten G. Nelson (387868), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company I, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, on 16 June 1944. When he was thrown from his gun by the blast of a Japanese hand grenade landing directly beneath his machine gun, Private First Class Nelson unhesitatingly crawled back to the weapon and resumed firing upon the enemy. Wounded in the chest by hostile rifle fire a moment later, he resolutely held his position in spite of the intense Japanese machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire, and remained at his post until forcibly dragged away by his Company Medical Corpsman. By his courage, intrepid spirit and zealous devotion to duty, Private First Class Nelson contributed materially to the success of our forces and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 6877