The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John A. Messer, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Marine Artillery Battalion of the Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 7 July 1944. When hostile forces overran the artillery battalion and inflicted heavy casualties, Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Messer unhesitatingly volunteered to penetrate the Japanese lines to bring out the wounded. Although three of his four men were wounded as he led them across an open field under intense sniper and mortar fire, he courageously continued moving forward and evacuated eight men. Subsequently, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, he made two more trips into this hazardous area, recovering numerous other casualties, but was mortally wounded by enemy sniper fire before completing his third mission. By his courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life, Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Messer undoubtedly saved many lives, and his steadfast devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.