George E. Conklin’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to

George E. Conklin

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with a Rifle Company of the Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 5 October 1942. Although severely wounded during the fierce engagement of his platoon with Japanese troops, Private Conklin maintained persistent and determined rifle fire against the enemy. By his skill and indomitable fighting spirit, carrying on with utter disregard for his own life, he prevented the encirclement and destruction of the remaining members of his platoon by the enemy. When he could no longer man his gun, he disassembled the weapon, scattering the parts and making it useless to the enemy. He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country.