The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Raymond E. Duffee, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to Company D, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, during the period 20 to 22 November 1943. When Marine troops attempting to reach the beach over a coral reef were caught in intense steady stream of enemy machine-gun fire, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Duffee, unhesitatingly waded into the bullet-swept waters to assist the wounded, making approximately fifteen trips to bring helpless men to the cover of the seawall. Twice venturing some seventy-five yards inland, he administered first aid and changed the dressings of a wounded officer whose evacuation from a shellhole was precluded by the activities of numerous snipers operating in the area, and later, courageously returning with two stretcher bearers under cover of darkness, he succeeded in bringing the officer to safety despite heavy enemy fire. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Duffer’s splendid initiative, expert professional skill and fearless devotion to duty in the face of grave peril undoubtedly saved many lives and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.