The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph N. Renner (MCSN: 0-5200), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Assistant Operations Officer and Fighter Director of the FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from 23 September 1942 to 7 December 1942. Trapped in an overcrowded communications dugout when the first intense shelling by Japanese battleships caught our forces unaware on the night of 11 October, Major Renner utilized his knowledge of naval bombardment to analyze the sequence of firing and, between salvos, led all personnel from the exposed communications center to a safer location. Although enemy bombers were still overhead, he volunteered to ascertain the damage to the landing strip after the shelling had ceased and, courageously surveying the strip on foot in the dark with the aid of a flashlight, examined the craters and plotted their position to plan his dawn strike. Despite the lack of communications, he personally delivered the Commanding General’s plan to the strike commander, briefed the pilots and skillfully guided each of the only three aircraft available which had not been damaged by the shelling down the crater-holed runway. Throughout the unabated battle, he voluntarily examined the bomber strip after each hostile attack in addition to his regular operations duties, briefed the pilots and dispatched the first flight. Requesting and receiving permission to take up a fighter plane on the night of 13 October, he remained aloft alone until midnight despite intense fatigue, hoping to intercept and destroy the harassing enemy and free the area from nightly raids which had exhausted the Marines. During a period of merciless daily Japanese attacks by land, sea and air, Major Renner’s daring leadership, determination and coolness under fire were contributing factors in maintaining air operations in the face of numerous and severe handicaps. His unselfish consideration for others and his exemplary devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit on Major Renner and the United States Naval Service.