Francis Selinger Craig, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Francis Selinger Craig, Jr., First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as a Platoon leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. When concentrated enemy mortar, machine-gun, antitank and rifle fire had halted the advance of his company and one of three supporting tanks had been hit and set afire, First Lieutenant Craig courageously jumped onto one of the remaining tanks and, standing exposed for twenty minutes in the face of hostile fire, directed the tanks in destroying the Japanese antitank gun, and two enemy machine gun positions. By his gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty, he contributed to his company’s success in seizing the high ground in its zone of operations and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 31268 (SofN Signed November 20, 1947)