Howard R. Craven (Aka: William Bernard Murphree)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Howard R. Craven (334972), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving with Company A, SECOND Marine Raider Battalion, during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin in the Gilbert Islands on 17 and 18 August 1942. During a very critical period of the fight, Private First Class Craven, in company with a comrade, fighting valiantly and with great determination, defeated successive and violent counter measures of enemy Japanese and succeeded in holding the left flank of the assault echelon. His courageous and determined action, performed with complete disregard for his own personal safety, was a vital factor in the success of the raiding force and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Howard Craven was the name under which this Marine served and was awarded the Navy Cross. His name was later legally changed to William Bernard Murphree.)

SPOT AWARD, SofN Signed November 21, 1942