Charles E. Douglas’ Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

Charles E. Douglas

Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Charles E. Douglas (200624), Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36) during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Gunnery Sergeant Douglas, in charge of the forward anti-aircraft machine guns of the U.S.S. NEVADA, kept these guns in continuous action until burned out due to loss of circulating water when severed by a bomb hit. In spite of orders to abandon his station, after a bomb hit caused a fire that enveloped the forward superstructure endangering the lives of the men on the forward machine guns, he and his men remained at their station firing the remaining guns until the end of the action. His outstanding courage, aggressive fighting spirit and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Hailey and the United States Naval Service.