Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division "The Silent Second", U.S. Marine Corps (3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, U.S. Marine Corps)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Emmett L. Dimon (316809), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Leader of a Rifle Squad in an assault company of the Third Battalion, Second Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. Discovering that fire from a hostile light machine gun directly in front of his platoon was preventing his men from advancing over the beach and sea wall, Sergeant Dimon realized the vital necessity of clearing the beach immediately and voluntarily started toward the enemy weapon. Continually exposed to Japanese fire, he daringly crawled for a distance of about twenty yards to the flank of the hostile position and destroyed the machine gun and crew of two with hand grenades before he was fatally wounded. Sergeant Dimon's valiant initiative and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.


Awarded posthumously