The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private William E. Black (MCSN: 334871), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Gunner in a machine-gun section of Company L, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines (Reinforced), SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 22 January 1943. When an adjoining platoon, pinned down by flanking fire from one heavy and three light enemy machine guns, called for aid, Private Black set up his machine gun on high ground and delivered effective fire to neutralize the hostile fire to the right while his company placed two platoons on a ridge near by to cover Company K’s flank. Later in the day when the men on this exposed ridge were overcome by heat exhaustion and were caught by Japanese cross-fire while being evacuated, Private Black, who had been assisting in the evacuation, immediately returned to his gun and, alone, valiantly held the ridge until the disabled were taken to cover. He then returned to assist in carrying the wounded men further to the rear until he, himself, was overcome by heat exhaustion. His initiative, courage and gallant spirit of service were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.