The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant Paul Moore, Jr. (MCSN: 0-8836), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while in command of a platoon of Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Matanikau River Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the morning of 3 November 1942. Pressing forward in the face of a steady barrage of hostile machine-gun and mortar fire, Second Lieutenant Moore, by aggressive charges and skillful employment of his units, forced the enemy to retreat to the ocean’s edge. As the Japanese fought desperately to survive, he stayed on the line with his platoon, directing its fire under terrific assaults by the enemy, and urged his men forward in a series of hand-grenade and bayonet charges, personally leading their successive attacks. In the final stages of the engagement, although critically wounded by a hand grenade fragment and lying prostrate and helpless, he continued to encourage his men to keep attacking until he lost consciousness. His cool, courageous daring and outstanding leadership were an inspiration to all in his command.