The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Emmett R. Morris (MCSN: 368300), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a member of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 27 August 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Private First Class Morris volunteered as a member of a rescue party and advanced into the open in the face of almost certain death to evacuate a wounded comrade. Although hostile gunfire was intense throughout the considerable distance to be covered, Private First Class Morris succeeded in reaching his comrade but was wounded in the face by a sniper’s bullet while attempting to lift the injured man. His brave and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice under fire was an inspiring example and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.