The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private John T. Yaksich (MCSN: 336911), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a member of a Rifle Company of the Second Battalion, Second Marines (Reinforced), SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 12 November 1942. In the front lines west of the Matanikau River, Private Yaksich, approaching an enemy machine gun on his own initiative and under heavy fire, courageously advanced to a point-blank range before opening fire with his rifle and killing the Japanese gunner. Throwing a hand grenade into the emplacement before rushing the position, he was subsequently engaged in desperate hand-to-hand combat wherein he bayoneted two of the enemy. However, when several other Japanese appeared, and he sensed that he might be overpowered, he ran back to his own lines, rearmed himself and brought three men forward to help him capture the hostile machine gun. His relentless fighting spirit and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.