The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Robert Francis Powell (MCSN: 273889), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a member of a combat patrol serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 28 January 1944. Skillfully maneuvering his machine-gun section under intense and determined enemy machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire, Corporal Powell moved his guns into positions most advantageous for supporting the advance of a rifle platoon and maintained a steady, withering fire upon the hostile forces until ordered to withdraw. While directing the evacuation of his section from the area, he observed a wounded rifleman approximately fifty yards ahead and, although still subjected to heavy enemy fire, crawled forward in an effort to remove the injured man. Wounded in the right arm and forced to withdraw as a result of increased opposition, he courageously made another attempt to reach his comrade but, receiving a second, more serious wound, collapsed before he could accomplish his mission and was later carried to an aid station. Corporal Powell’s dauntless spirit and self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of another were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.