Max E. Timmons

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Max E. Timmons (276496), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Battery G, Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. Advancing fifty yards in front of his battery to an abandoned machine gun, Private First Class Timmons manned this weapon until the ammunition was expended, destroying a hostile machine gun and the personnel operating it before returning to the battery position. Summoning one man to aid him, he retrieved the abandoned enemy gun and brought it back to a point from which he could cover another battery under attack. When his battery withdrew to a more strategic position, Private First Class Timmons voluntarily remained with the machine gun and delivered fire on the Japanese, preventing them from overrunning the other battery’s position and enabling his own gun crew to occupy a defensive position with his gun as a base. His unfaltering courage and self-sacrificing devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Timmons and the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 8631