The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunnery Sergeant Ellsbury B. Elliott (MCSN: 214295), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as leader of the Second Platoon, Company A, SECOND Marine Raider Battalion, during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin in the Gilbert Islands on 17 and 18 August 1942. Despite continuous harassing by enemy snipers and repeated charges by ground troops, Gunnery Sergeant Elliott, by his extreme personal valor, inspired his platoon to great heights of achievement during the early stages of the fight, not only in holding persistently the left flank of the Battalion position but in advancing further into enemy territory, dislocating their assistance. His skillful leadership and determined aggressiveness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.