The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal James Alton Faulkingham (MCSN: 333113), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Amphibian Tractor Crew Chief serving with the First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Third Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu Island, Palau Group, from 15 to 17 September 1944. Taken under fire by a superior number of Japanese snipers while engaged in carrying supplies to the front lines through heavily mined terrain, Corporal Faulkingham fought valiantly in the face of tremendous odds. Upon observing the approach of a hostile tank, firing savagely on our infantrymen, he unhesitatingly charged the weapon, disabling it with a fifty caliber machine gun, shooting the turret gunner with a carbine and completing the destruction by hurling a hand grenade directly into the enemy tank. Although injured during this encounter, Corporal Faulkingham continued his mission of moving urgently needed supplies through the mined areas partially controlled by the Japanese until 17 September when he sustained severe wounds during the explosion of his tank by a hostile mine. His daring aggressiveness and cool courage in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.