The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Machinist’s Mate First Class Lewis Cotrell (NSN: 3683898), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. SMITH (DD-378), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the battle to the northward of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.