John S. Letcher

The Navy Cross is presented to John S. Letcher, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as the commander of a patrol of the Second Brigade, U.S. Marine Corps, operating in the vicinity of Palacaguina, Nicaragua, on December 10, 1928. After his patrol had been ambushed by bandit forces and his horse had been shot from under him by machine gun fire, Second Lieutenant Letcher immediately deployed his patrol and launched a vigorous attack against the bandit machine gun emplacement. So well was the attack executed the position was quickly taken and the bandits dispersed. By his aggressiveness and excellent leadership and by his display of bravery and coolness, Second Lieutenant Letcher terminated what might have resulted in a protracted engagement.