Robert O. Arthur’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

Robert O. Arthur

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-211), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Wake Island, during action against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, 8 to 23 December 1941. In the devastating Japanese air raid on 8 December, Staff Sergeant Arthur was severely wounded in the left wrist, completely losing the use of his left hand. In spite of this handicap, he rendered gallant service in rescuing more seriously wounded comrades from burning airplanes and camp areas and refused to be evacuated until all others had received medical aid. After a single day’s treatment, he left the island hospital and returned to duty. Again evacuated, he persisted in his determined efforts to aid in the defense of the island, returned to his squadron and, after several days of secret experimentation, demonstrated to his squadron commander that he could attach his bandaged hand to the throttle of an airplane and was permitted to fly on reconnaissance patrol. Later, he armed himself with a pistol and, with his left hand still useless, fought beside his comrades throughout the final moments of combat until the island defenses were overwhelmed by superior Japanese forces. Staff Sergeant Arthur’s initiative, fortitude and courageous devotion to duty at the risk of his life enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.