Edward H. Hansberry

For extraordinary heroism while serving as Leader of an Engineer Squad of Company B, First Engineer Battalion, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 19 May 1945. Volunteering to clear a path for advancing tanks, Corporal Hansberry fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire in order to locate and uproot hostile mines which prohibited forward movement of the tanks. Crawling on his hands and knees about fifteen feet ahead of the firing tanks, he disposed of all the mines in an area seventy-five yards in length and, by his courageous efforts, enabled the tanks to pass through the area unmolested and accomplish their mission. His coolness and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Edward H. Hansberry (505119), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Leader of an Engineer Squad of Company B, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu islands, 19 May 1945. Volunteering to clear a path for advancing tanks, Corporal Hansberry fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire in order to locate and uproot hostile mines which prohibited forward movement of the tanks. Crawling on his hands and knees about fifteen feet ahead of the firing tanks, he disposed of all the mines in an area seventy-five yards in length and, by his courageous efforts, enabled the tanks to pass through the area unmolested and accomplish their mission. His coolness and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 79496