The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Russell White (MCSN: 173202), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while attached to the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua and in command of a patrol of one officer and fifteen enlisted Guardia. With his patrol and on his own initiative, from 7 November to 9 November 1930, Sergeant White pursued over jungle trails in unknown country, a group estimated to contain two hundred bandits which had defeated the Guardia garrison of Matiguas, driven it there from and looted the town. Without a reserve supply of ammunition or food, while out of communication with Area or Department Headquarters and far beyond the reach of possible support or assistance, he attacked and defeated the bandit group with heavy loss. While leading the attack Sergeant White fell mortally wounded at the head of his men. The effect of the relentless pursuit, bold attack and decisive defeat of this group of bandits, in addition to avenging the capture of Matiguas, had a lasting effect on the morale of the Guardia and of the civil population of the Central Area.