William Bruce Kincannon

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Bruce Kincannon, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Company Corpsman with the FIRST Marine Raider Battalion during an engagement with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 – 14 September 1942. When his company was almost completely surrounded by the Japanese and under attack from all directions, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Kincannon, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, constantly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for and evacuate the wounded. As a result of his dauntless courage and outstanding devotion to duty, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Kincannon undoubtedly saved the lives of many of the injured who otherwise might have perished. His courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 312 (March 1943) & 318 (September 1943)