Paul J. McMurtry’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to

Paul James McMurtry

Boatswain’s Mate First Class, U.S. Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship 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. Realizing that main turrets of his ship would not be firing, Boatswain’s Mate First Class McMurtry left his battle station and under heavy enemy strafing, bombing and torpedo attacks, formed relief gun crews to replace many casualties on antiaircraft batteries. The conduct of Boatswain’s Mate First Class McMurtry throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.