The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Oswald Joseph Hedlund (MCSN: 354876), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a member of a combat patrol serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 6 January 1944. When the gunner and assistant of his machine-gun squad were seriously wounded as the squad was maneuvering into position, Corporal Hedlund unhesitatingly made his way forward in the face of withering enemy fire and, at great risk to his own life, dragged the two injured men to safety. Again advancing under extremely difficult conditions, he quickly secured his machine gun and ammunition, putting it into action just in time to repulse a fierce, determined enemy charge. Corporal Hedlund’s brilliant initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.