Nicholas Dwornitski’s Navy Cross citation

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

Nicholas Dwornitski

Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving with Company C, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during the enemy Japanese attack on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 and 14 September 1942. While the island airport was under a heavy nocturnal attack by hostile forces, Corporal Dwornitski, leading his rifle squad through a curtain of fanatical fire from Japanese mortars, machine guns and hand grenades, successfully brought his men to front line combat positions. Thereafter, with grim courage and determination, he directed his squad in a desperate hand-to-hand fight to hold ground until all but two of his men were killed or injured and he, himself, was wounded while repulsing the enemy assault. His alert initiative and inspiring leadership, employed at great personal risk in the face of grave danger, were largely responsible for the rigid defense maintained by our lines in one of the most critical battles on the island. His actions at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.