The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Colin Campbell, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Light Cruiser U.S.S. ST. LOUIS (CL-49), during operations in Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, on 5 and 6 July 1943. As part of a Task Force in close support of the landing of United States troops at Rice Anchorage on New Georgia Island, Captain Campbell skillfully maneuvered his ship through restricted submarine-infested waters and effectively bombarded enemy shore batteries and installations in the face of intense Japanese gun and torpedo fire. Twenty-four hours later, the ST. LOUIS, leading the cruiser formation during one phase of the action, participated in an engagement with a numerically superior Japanese naval force and, through Captain Campbell’s brilliant direction of her naval gunfire, assisted materially in the sinking or severe damaging of all the hostile vessels. The inspiring leadership and valiant devotion to duty displayed by Captain Campbell under fire contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital operations and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.