The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Ralph H. Coyte (MCSN: 0-5673), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Commanding Officer of Company B, SECOND Marine Raider Battalion, during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin in the Gilbert Islands on 17 and 18 August 1942. With keen judgment and decisiveness in tactical combat, Major Coyte disposed a portion of his company into the center of the line and succeeded in outflanking an enemy machine-gun position which had been holding up the advance. His personal valor and coolness under fire reflect great credit upon Major Coyte, his command and the United States Naval Service.