The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain William D. Stevenson (MCSN: 0-6265), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as Battalion Communications Officer, Headquarters, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion, during the enemy Japanese attack on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 and 14 September 1942. Placed in command of a patrol to reconnoiter the left flank of the battalion reserve line and to determine the location of the hostile troops enveloping that flank, Captain Stevenson, in spite of severe enemy rifle and machine gun fire, completed this mission successfully. Then, directed to return to the battalion command post, he took over the battalion switchboard and, in the face of ever-present danger, operated it effectively and skillfully. With all other personnel forced to another position in the rear, and with his post entirely surrounded by infiltrating Japanese, Captain Stevenson gallantly remained, and alone, maintained communication with the division command post and with supporting artillery, until the enemy in the rear cut the wires. His unswerving devotion to duty and great personal valor were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.