Navy Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Charles C. Hill (MCSN: 281077), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Acting Leader of a .30 caliber machine gun section of Battery I, FIRST Marine Defense Battalion, Naval Air Station, Wake Island, during the defense of Wake Island against enemy Japanese forces from 8 to 23 December 1941. Instantly taking over when his section leader was unable to continue, Private First Class Hill skillfully reorganized his seven-man section, which included four civilians unfamiliar with the weapons, and directed the barrage of his batteries. Blazing away with his two guns, he raked the enemy with blistering fire, repeatedly drove back fiendish attacks, and cleared the Japanese from his section of the beach. Faced with tremendous odds when two destroyers beached about one hundred and fifty yards from him and began to disgorge armed troops, he unhesitatingly moved forward to take up a dangerously exposed position and enfilade the enemy lines. Oblivious of the danger from the opposing superior firepower, he fought his guns coolly and accurately, shattering the oncoming lines with his withering fire, killing approximately one hundred and fifty Japanese, and forcing countless others to withdraw. His inspiring leadership, courage under fire, and unfaltering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Hill and the United States Naval Service.

Charles Hill (1915)