The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Ralph Leroy Browner (MCSN: 516659), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 8 and 9 July 1944. During the night when the enemy counterattacked his company on the beach west of Kaberra Pass, Private First Class Browner set up his machine gun on the left flank of the line within six feet of the water’s edge and, despite intense rifle and machine-gun fire, manned the gun during the entire night. As the heat of the battle increased, he received fire from three directions but, tenaciously holding his position, accounted for thirty-five enemy dead and aided directly in protecting the left flank of the line and in repulsing the counterattack. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Browner and the United States Naval Service.