James V. Shanley’s SECOND Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously 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 pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain James V. Shanley (MCSN: 0-8512), United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 4 October 1944. Steadily pressing forward over the extremely difficult terrain, Captain Shanley’s company assaulted and captured three successive coral ridges against fanatic Japanese resistance. With the leading assault platoon pinned down at the base of the ravine by Japanese fire emanating from two higher peaks during an advance against the fourth ridge and the route of supply and reinforcement entirely severed, he valiantly exposed himself to the withering barrage to direct the withdrawal. Seeing the forward platoon leader killed and many of the men wounded immediately thereafter, Captain Shanley left his post and, risking his life in the face of the unceasing barrage, proceeded to the aid of the fallen Marines and personally carried two men to safety. Struck twice by bursting shellfire while rescuing a third, he refused evacuation and continued directing the withdrawal of the helpless platoon until succumbing to his wounds. By his brilliant leadership, great personal valor and self-sacrificing devotion to his men, Captain Shanley contributed to the saving of many lives and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

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Born: 31 May 1919 in Brooklyn, N.Y…. Earned his first Navy Cross at Cape Gloucester earlier that year… Interred at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, N.Y.