Arnold Christian Hofstetter

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Arnold Christian Hofstetter (0-10016), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine corps, for extraordinary heroism as Executive Officer of Battery H, Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. During a Japanese counterattack on his battery’s position, First Lieutenant Hofstetter directed the fire of two howitzers at the advancing troops, using time and ricochet fire until the ammunition was expended, and then organized a defensive position in front of his battery, retaining control of his defensive small-arms fire. Cautioning his men not to open fire until the approaching enemy could be annihilated near his position in order that the Japanese weapons and ammunition might be salvaged for use against the attackers, he effectively stopped the counterattack in his battery area. In the absence of his corpsman, hen then examined and cared for his wounded men until evacuation could be effected. By his courage, leadership and devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Hofstetter contributed materially to our success in this engagement and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 8418 (SofN Signed January 23, 1948)