Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Roy Ernest Harrison (MCSN: 1074601), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Machine Gunner in Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Inje, Korea, on 11 June 1951. When a numerically superior enemy force launched a vicious attack against his platoon’s strategic position commanding a ford in the Soyang River, Private First Class Harrison courageously remained at his post in the face of intense hostile fire to deliver heavy and accurate machine-gun fire on the attacking enemy and, by his gallant action, successfully broke up the hostile assault. When the hostile troops regrouped and launched a second attack directly at his gun position, he steadfastly continued to fire into their ranks and, although all the other members of his crew became casualties during the assault, aggressively persisted in his efforts to stop the onrushing troops. Even after the attackers reached and passed his position, he swung his gun around a poured damaging fire into their rear elements thereby succeeding a second time in disrupting the assault before he fell, mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade. By his indomitable fighting spirit, unflagging determination and valiant devotion to duty in the face of insurmountable odds, Private First Class Harrison contributed immeasurably to the success of his platoon in preventing the enemy from gaining command of the important river crossing and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

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