James V. Shanley’s FIRST Navy Cross citation

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

CAPTAIN

JAMES V. SHANLEY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain James V. Shanley (MCSN: 0-8512), United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while attached to the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 14 January 1944. With assault elements disorganized and suffering heavy casualties under the vicious concentration of enemy artillery, machine-gun and mortar fire after making a determined struggle up the steep slopes of Hill 660 to its crest, Captain Shanley, alert to the grim necessity of capturing the hill before nightfall, unhesitatingly made his way to the front where, as senior officer initially present, he assumed command of the elements of three different companies. Continually exposing himself to enemy fire and narrowly escaping serious injury several times as he personally led his men to strategic points, Captain Shanley skillfully organized them for a frontal assault which overwhelmed the enemy and swept them from the hill with heavy losses. His splendid leadership, unrelenting aggressiveness and staunch devotion to duty inspired the valiant officers and men of his command to supreme effort and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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Born: 31 May 1919 in Brooklyn, N.Y…. Earned a second Navy Cross at Peleliu (posthumously) on 4 October 1944… Interred at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, N.Y.