The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class James Dunn, Jr. (MCSN: 407172), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the Third Battalion, Sixth Marines (Reinforced), SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 20 January 1943. When the combat patrol with which he was serving came under heavy machine-gun shelling, Private First Class Dunn, along with eleven Marines and their command officer, became separated from the remainder of the patrol and were pinned down by hostile fire. After the commanding officer and the second in command had been severely wounded, Private First Class Dunn, on his own initiative and with complete disregard for personal safety, promptly assumed command and led the men to jungle cover in the face of fierce mortar and machine-gun fire. Again trapped by Japanese, he reconnoitered and finally succeeded in leading his group, including the wounded, to their own lines. His gallant and fearless leadership was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.