Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private William F. Seiverling, Jr. (MCSN: 369132), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River in the Solomon Islands Area on 1 November 1942. When ordered to fire on the enemy, Private Seiverling unhesitatingly ran down the hill, directly in the face of enemy fire, and attacked the Japanese, killing one sniper and possibly many others. During the organization of the platoon, he covered the evacuation of the wounded and then hearing that the Second Platoon was also in difficulty, he voluntarily ran between the enemy and the platoon and covered its withdrawal, killing several Japanese before he, himself, was hit by machine gun fire. Although suffering from his injury, Private Seiverling managed to locate the enemy position and with grim determination continued to deliver heavy fire from his automatic rifle. As he started back over the ridge, he was fatally wounded. By his great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self-sacrifice he was an inspiration to his comrades and undoubtedly saved the lives of many while giving his own life in the defense of his country.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private William F. Seiverling, Jr. (MCSN: 369132), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River in the Solomon Islands Area on 1 November 1942. When ordered to fire on the enemy, Private Seiverling unhesitatingly ran down the hill, directly in the face of enemy fire, and attacked the Japanese, killing one sniper and possibly many others. During the organization of the platoon, he covered the evacuation of the wounded and then hearing that the Second Platoon was also in difficulty, he voluntarily ran between the enemy and the platoon and covered its withdrawal, killing several Japanese before he, himself, was hit by machine gun fire. Although suffering from his injury, Private Seiverling managed to locate the enemy position and with grim determination continued to deliver heavy fire from his automatic rifle. As he started back over the ridge, he was fatally wounded. By his great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self-sacrifice he was an inspiration to his comrades and undoubtedly saved the lives of many while giving his own life in the defense of his country.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private William F. Seiverling, Jr. (MCSN: 369132), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River in the Solomon Islands Area on 1 November 1942. When ordered to fire on the enemy, Private Seiverling unhesitatingly ran down the hill, directly in the face of enemy fire, and attacked the Japanese, killing one sniper and possibly many others. During the organization of the platoon, he covered the evacuation of the wounded and then hearing that the Second Platoon was also in difficulty, he voluntarily ran between the enemy and the platoon and covered its withdrawal, killing several Japanese before he, himself, was hit by machine gun fire. Although suffering from his injury, Private Seiverling managed to locate the enemy position and with grim determination continued to deliver heavy fire from his automatic rifle. As he started back over the ridge, he was fatally wounded. By his great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self-sacrifice he was an inspiration to his comrades and undoubtedly saved the lives of many while giving his own life in the defense of his country.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private William F. Seiverling, Jr. (MCSN: 369132), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River in the Solomon Islands Area on 1 November 1942. When ordered to fire on the enemy, Private Seiverling unhesitatingly ran down the hill, directly in the face of enemy fire, and attacked the Japanese, killing one sniper and possibly many others. During the organization of the platoon, he covered the evacuation of the wounded and then hearing that the Second Platoon was also in difficulty, he voluntarily ran between the enemy and the platoon and covered its withdrawal, killing several Japanese before he, himself, was hit by machine gun fire. Although suffering from his injury, Private Seiverling managed to locate the enemy position and with grim determination continued to deliver heavy fire from his automatic rifle. As he started back over the ridge, he was fatally wounded. By his great personal valor, aggressiveness and fine spirit of self-sacrifice he was an inspiration to his comrades and undoubtedly saved the lives of many while giving his own life in the defense of his country.
Gravesite Details
PVT US MARINE CORPS; WORLD WAR II
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