The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Earl Lincoln Stout, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as Company Medical Corpsman with the First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 8 and 9 July 1944. Coming upon an entire machine-gun crew wounded during an enemy counterattack, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Stout, although continuously under enemy fire, promptly treated the casualties, disregarding the personal danger. Then he obtained spare parts for the damaged machine gun and, retracing his perilous way to the position, repaired and manned the gun, thereby filling a vital place in the line. Obtaining information from the wounded as to where his help was most needed because of heavy enemy attacks on the line, he repeatedly braved terrific blasts of Japanese fire to give prompt and efficient aid to all casualties throughout the encounter. By his courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Stout undoubtedly saved many lives, and his steadfast devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.