The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Clarence E. Petrie (MCSN: 335730), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Reconnaissance Sergeant of Company D, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert islands, on 21 November 1943. When intense fire from enemy shore emplacements inflicted heavy casualties on our forces as they waded toward the beach, Sergeant Petrie voluntarily prepared to aid his Platoon Leader in attacking the hostile positions. In the face of persistent Japanese machine-gun fire, he assisted in bringing a 75-mm. pack-howitzer into use and helped with the loading until the devastating fire of the first enemy pillbox was neutralized and then, with his officer, immediately moved inside the position to kill any remaining defenders. Maintaining a steady, accurate stream of covering fire, he enabled his Platoon Leader to attack three of a group of four connecting emplacements, on each occasion entering the pillboxes to annihilate the defenders and, when his officer was seriously wounded by an enemy grenade inside the third position, unhesitatingly risked his life to drag his companion out to safety and carry him back to the aid station. By his splendid initiative, Sergeant Petrie rendered invaluable assistance in putting out of action six important Japanese guns, and his indomitable fighting spirit and self-sacrificing devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.