James Patrick Sinnott Devereux

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to James Patrick Sinnott Devereux (0-3965), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for for distinguished and heroic conduct in the line of his profession, as Commanding Officer of the FIRST Marine Defense Battalion, Naval Air Station, Wake Island. Major Devereux was responsible for directing defenses of that post during the Japanese siege from 7 through 22 December 1941, against impossible odds. Major Devereux’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 301 (April 1942)