Anthony G. Yelanich

The Navy Cross is presented to Anthony G. Yelanich, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism, courage and coolness in the performance of duty as a runner during an engagement fought with bandits in the vicinity of Ililihuas, Nicaragua, on 7 August 1928. While delivering a message, Private First Class Yelanich found himself between two bandits who were rushing him from each side. After killing one of them and putting the other to rout, he then proceeded to complete his mission. During passage from one end of the skirmish line to the other, and although under rifle and machine gun fire throughout the entire action, he never failed to deliver the messages entrusted to him.