Eugene B. Gale

The Navy Cross is presented to Eugene B. Gale, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession under fire while operating with the Guardia Nacional patrol in contact with a bandit group near Tamarindo, Nicaragua on 6 June 1930. When the patrol opened fire it was immediately returned by the bandits from the left-rear, left and front. The bandits were in a position on a ridge above the patrol A firing line was formed to the left flank and the Guardia patrol moved slowly up and to the right. The movement was held up by an automatic weapon back of a stump in front of some shacks to the right of the firing line. At this point Private Gale, armed with a Browning Automatic Rifle, at great personal risk, crept forward and to the right until he was within thirty feet and slightly to the right of the stump. Then, with utter disregard to his personal safety, he raised himself on one knee and fired a burst into the bandit gunner, killing him. Private Gale’s conduct during this action was of the highest order.