Jack R. Cram

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Jack R. Cram (0-4810), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in the FIRST Marine Aircraft WING, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese surface vessels and air forces in the vicinity of Kokumbona Point, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 15 October 1942. Piloting a PBY-5A plane in a daylight attack by combined air units, Major Cram, despite heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and constant assaults by enemy fighters, gallantly pushed home his attack to point-blank range, before releasing his torpedoes, hitting and sinking a Japanese transport. Although his plane was severely damaged and carried the scars of more than fifty hits in its battered fuselage, he returned to his base and landed safely. His expert airmanship and indomitable fighting spirit reflect great credit upon himself, his command, and the United States Naval Service.

Board Serial: 297 (SofN Signed August 11, 1943)