The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain John Harvey Slusser (MCSN: 0-12164), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as a Platoon Commander of Company F, SECOND Marine Raider Battalion, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 30 November 1942. Leading his platoon into an enemy bivouac on the upper Lunga River, Captain Slusser, then Marine Gunner, initiated a daring attack on the objective which caught a force of some ninety Japanese completely by surprise. Although vastly outnumbered, he bravely charged into the bivouac at the head of his unit with his automatic weapon blazing and, by his forceful and determined leadership, served to inspire his men to heroic endeavor in killing seventy-five of the enemy and in driving the remainder into the bush, achieving a complete victory over the hostile force without the loss of a Marine. His superb courage, outstanding initiative and valiant fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Captain Slusser and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.