The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Lanson Davis Mills (NSN: 6327642), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces while serving as a Medical Corpsman with the FIRST Marine Division, at Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island, during the period from 26 December 1943 to 3 January 1944. Pharmacist’s Mate Mills on three occasions during enemy attacks moved between gun positions, exposing himself to enemy rifle and machine gun fire, to administer first aid to his own and adjacent units. Six times while exposed to enemy fire he administered blood plasma when it became impossible to remove the wounded from the field. His outstanding devotion to duty and his courageous disregard for his own personal safety were an inspiration to his unit and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.