The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal LeRoy Diamond (MCSN: 294352), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Machine Gunner of the Eleventh Machine Gun Squad, Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese armed forces at the Tenaru River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 21 August 1942. Lacking the protection of riflemen, Corporal Diamond’s machine gun squad was forced to tear down its frontal protection to meet the oncoming strong Japanese landing force. In spite of tremendous difficulties, the enemy attack was courageously met and repulsed by fierce and determined fighting during which Corporal Diamond was seriously wounded. His personal valor and loyal devotion to duty contributed to the defeat of the enemy and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.