The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Merlin F. Achor, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Marine Rifle Battalion of the FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 24 February 1945. In an attempt to reach a Marine who had been wounded by enemy machine gun fire, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Achor left his sheltered position and with utter disregard for his personal safety ran directly into the line of enemy fire. After advancing five yards he was hit by the enemy machine gun fire. Despite agonizing pain, he persisted in his attempt to reach the wounded man once again and was himself wounded, this time seriously. Weak from loss of blood and exhausted by his efforts to maintain his footing in the loose volcano sand, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Achor finally reached the wounded Marine and then still under intense fire, administered life-saving first aid. Although he himself required immediate medical attention, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Achor refused to leave the front lines until he had dragged his patient to safety and directed his evacuation to the battalion aid station. By his courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Achor undoubtedly saved the life of a comrade, and his steadfast devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 41851 (June 9, 1945)


The above contributed by John Dowdy 47791572
I salute this fellow Veteran and appreciate all he did for his country. Courage was not in short supply with him.