The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Herbert Dee Lester (MCSN: 202090), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism, coolness and excellent judgment in the performance of duty in an engagement near Quilali, Nicaragua, on 30 December 1927. Private Lester on this occasion conducted an ammunition mule to the front bearing ammunition for the advance guard, and in spite of a devastating hostile fire, unloaded the mule, set up a machine gun, and coolly and courageously directed his fire to the utmost advantage.