The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander (MC) Theodore C. Pratt (NSN: 0-115283), United States Naval Reserve, for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of personal danger while serving as Medical Officer to U.S. Marines, in action from 7 August 1942 to 24 September 1942, at Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands. Lieutenant Commander Pratt was continually on duty as Chief Surgeon at the FIRST Marine Division Field Hospital and as Commanding Officer of “B” Medical Company, First Medical Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, since the seizure of the Guadalcanal area. This position was one of great responsibility as a considerable portion of the surgical treatment of casualties, which occurred daily. Was done by him personally and many others cared for under his direction and supervision. During this period the area was bombed repeatedly and on one occasion several bombs were dropped close to the hospital and destroyed a radio station a few feet away. During one period of shelling by enemy surface craft a naval shell passed through one of the hospital buildings. Despite these trying circumstances, Lieutenant Commander Pratt maintained a high standard of surgical care for the wounded and on several occasions found it necessary to continue surgical operations during enemy air raids. This he did with coolness and cared, reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.