James E. Berray’s Navy Cross citation

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

James Edwin Berray

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a member of the Marine Guard Detachment aboard the U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 – 13 November, 1942. Although mortally wounded and suffering intense pain, Private First Class Berray, with sturdy endurance and utter disregard for his own personal safety, refused to submit to first aid treatment so that it might be given to others. By his undaunted courage and grim determination to carry on at a time when death was imminent and inevitable, he inspired his fellow men with an aggressive fighting spirit which contributed in a large measure to the victory achieved by our forces in this notable engagement. He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country.