The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
NAVY CROSS MEDAL to
PAUL T. TORIAN
CAPTAIN, U.S. MARINE CORPS
K Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines,3rd Marine Division
Dates Of Action: Nov 24, 1943
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Paul T. Torian, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 24 November 1943. Upon receiving orders to assume command of a company on his left flank which had become disorganized and immobilized during an attack against a strongly entrenched enemy position, leaving the left flank of the battalion unprotected, Captain Torian unhesitatingly proceeded toward the disorganized unit approximately five hundred yards distant and, although in full view of the Japanese and under constant, accurate gunfire, arrived safely in the vicinity of the company's position. Finding it surrounded, with thirty-five men wounded men lying out in the open and vulnerable to the enemy's accurate fire, Captain Torian penetrated the Japanese lines and, promptly organizing the survivors for an immediate counterattack, succeeded in breaking the enemy encirclement. Then, carrying the wounded with him, he led the company to a position from which it could again offer protection to the battalion's left flank. By his gallant leadership, personal valor and selfless devotion to the fulfillment of a hazardous mission, Captain Torian contributed materially to the success of our forces in this strategic area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
