The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Erskine W. Wells (MCSN: 0-7758), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while in command of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces west of the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 2 and 3 November 1942. On the afternoon of 2 November Captain Wells, ordered to attain the battalion objective which lay within his zone of action, maneuvered the troops under his command with such brilliant strategy and great personal courage that, despite stubborn enemy resistance, the Japanese were routed with heavy loss to their forces. On the following day, Captain Wells, although he realized his command was greatly outnumbered, daringly resumed the attack, inflicting devastating losses on the enemy. Cheering and encouraging his worn men in the midst of heat and severe enemy mortar and machine-gun fire during the latter phases of the assault, he personally led them in hand-to-hand combat, driving the Japanese from their position and completely annihilating them. His extreme valor and outstanding leadership were a constant inspiration to his officers and men and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.