The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Lloyd Edward Crusan (MCSN: 355876), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 3 January 1944. When his squad was pinned down at the edge of a stream by heavy enemy opposition, Sergeant Crusan unhesitatingly exposed himself to the withering machine-gun fire in order to provide cover for the withdrawal of his men and, after two unsuccessful attempts to force a crossing, courageously forded the river alone and assumed an advantageous position from which to cover the subsequent crossing of his squad. Leading his comrades in an aggressive, determined assault which broke through the enemy defenses and overran four strategic positions, he contributed materially to the success of his company in capturing a vital objective. Sergeant Crusan’s great personal valor and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.