The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant James A. Stranahan, Jr. (MCSN: 0-11646), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 15 and 16 June 1944. When the original Commanding Officer became a casualty while landing, First Lieutenant Stranahan assumed command and, adhering to operation orders, rallied his men and led them through intense enemy shelling to the initial objective where he established his position. Pushing back the flanks of the Japanese despite their overwhelming numerical superiority, he led the fight from this exposed position for more than a day until he was seriously wounded and evacuated. In command of the first company to reach the objective in the Division zone of action, First Lieutenant Stranahan, by his courage, gallant leadership and cool initiative in the face of great odds, was directly responsible for forming a base on which the remainder of the Battalion was established and was thereby instrumental in making possible the success of a difficult operation. His heroic conduct and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.