Hugh S. Daniel’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to

Hugh Spencer Daniel

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a member of the Marine Guard Detachment aboard the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against the enemy Japanese forces during the operations of the U.S. Naval Forces north of the Santa Cruz, Islands, on 26 October 1942. While manning a machine gun on the flight deck of the carrier, Private First Class Daniel was severely wounded by shrapnel from a heavy demolitions bomb which exploded near his station. With utter disregard for his own condition, he replaced an injured gun captain for the period of an hour, valiantly carrying on until the other members of the crew, upon discovery of his wounds, overrode his protests and removed him to a dressing station, where he died two days later. His courageous perseverance, maintained above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the defense of his country.