Enclosure (2) to COMDTINST 1650.6A
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to:
RAYMOND J. EVANS, CHIEF SIGNALMAN
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
for services as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For extraordinary heroism as a member of the crew of a Higgins boat assisting in the rescue of a
group of Marines surrounded by enemy Japanese forces on a beachhead of Guadalcanal,
Solomons Islands, on September 27, 1942. Although he knew that his boat was to be used for
the purpose of drawing enemy fire away from other craft evacuating the trapped Marines, Evans,
with utter disregard for his own personal safety, volunteered as a member of the crew. Gallantly
remaining at his post during the entire evacuation and with every other member of his crew
killed or wounded, he maintained control of the boat with one hand on the wheel and continued
to fire his automatic machine gun with the other, until the last boat cleared the beach. By his
great personal valor, skill and outstanding devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, he
contributed directly to the success of his mission by saving the lives of many who otherwise
might have perished."
For the President
/S/ Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy
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