The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander (MC) Robert W. Skinner, III, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Medical Officer attached to the FIRST Marine Raider Battalion during the attack on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. Although often exposed to enemy fire, Lieutenant Commander Skinner distinguished himself in administering aid to the wounded and in supervising evacuation of casualties. Later, when his battalion was fighting on Lunga Ridge, Guadalcanal, he made at least three trips from the forward of the rear dressing station, a space of several hundred yards of exposed terrain swept frequently by hostile fire. He subsequently accompanied our forces, moving forward with the battalion in the second and third Matanikau River battles, despite a wounded knee. By his courage, determination, and untiring devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Skinner saved many lives. His actions throughout the operation were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.