John W. Czaja’s Navy Cross citation

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

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN W. CZAJA,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RESERVE)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to John W. Czaja (337152), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 2 January 1944. When the advance of his company was held up at a stream crossing by intense enemy fire emanating from well-entrenched and strongly-fortified positions on the opposite bank, Private First Class Czaja instantly went into action and, disregarding his own safety, twice crossed the stream and fearlessly charged a machine gun position. Although mortally wounded in his second attempt to silence the weapon, Private First Class Czaja, by his daring initiative, gallant courage and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 22 November 1917 in Waterbury, Conn… Interred: Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury, Conn.