Clarence J. Chappell

The Navy Cross is presented to Clarence J. Chappell, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as an airplane pilot attached to the Aircraft Squadrons, Second Brigade, U.S.M.C., operating against hostile bandit forces in the Republic of Nicaragua from 6 November 1927 to 8 November 1928. During this period First Lieutenant Chappell performed 350 hours of flying time over heavily wooded and mountainous country occupied by bandit forces and in fair weather and foul. He made many contacts with bandit forces and promptly and courageously returned the rifle and machine gun fire directed at him. His services in Nicaragua were marked by the display of skill and devotion to duty of a high order.