1) I'd like to take a moment to honor my Dad, John Joseph Creamer on the 31st anniversary of his death (Memorial Day,1989) and his Marines of the First Marine Raider Battalion under Colonel Merritt "Red Mike" Edson, for their actions on Guadalcanal, September 1942.

2) CITATION: For extraordinary heroism while on reconnaissance patrol, serving with a rifle squad attached to Headquarters Company, Company C, First Marine Raider Battalion in the Matanikau River area, Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands against hostile Japanese forces.

3) On 27 September, 1942, during an early morning patrol at the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, PFC Creamer (Now Corporal) and his lead team which consisted of six men, suddenly came under intense close-range deadly fire from a numerically superior enemy force.

4) This Japanese force was concealed in positions along a heavily wooded ridge east of their patrol position. It was immediately apparent to PFC Creamer that an unknown number of Marines had been severely wounded in the ambush and were unable to evacuate themselves to safety.

5) Private First Class Creamer quickly forged forward to aid one of the more seriously wounded members of the lead group who remained exposed to the enemy's furious point-blank fire.

6) Braving a hail of exploding grenades, mortar shells, and devastating light machine-gun fire, he moved twenty-yards under accompanying Marine covering fire and carried the first wounded Marine to safety.

7) Undaunted by the mounting barrage of devastating hostile fire, PFC Creamer dashed back through the fire-swept area to carry a second stricken Marine from the line of fire.

8) With the knowledge their were additional wounded some yards further along the fire-swept trail, he again came under heavy fire when he attempted to reach their position. While boldly shouting words of encouragement to the wounded, Creamer bravely moved forward a third time.

9) He had almost reached the wounded Marine when he was struck in the neck from a machine-gun burst. Despite his severe injury, he crawled to the wounded man and now assisted by other Marines whom his actions had inspired and rallied, helped in dragging him to safety.

10) Persistent in refusing medical first aid for himself, Private First Class Creamer resolutely secured an operable weapon and returned to a nearby firing position.

11) There, he rejoined in the fierce fighting where he assisted in promptly destroying an automatic weapons position with withering and accurate rifle fire and grenades.

12) PFC Creamer's selfless and courageous actions reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.

13) For his extraordinary heroism and valor at the risk of his own life, Private First Class Creamer is recommended for the Navy Cross. Harry R. Seymer, Chaplain, Edson's Raiders Association, 17 May 1990. Rest in Peace Dad. Thank you Sir. You are deeply loved and sadly missed

14) The Battle at Edson's Ridge in September of 1942, showed the United States Marines, against all odds, and fighting in some of the most appalling conditions in the history of warfare, would win a decisive victory over their Japanese adversary.

15) In the process, this victory helped turn the tide of the land war in the Pacific Theater. Lieutenant Colonel Merritt Edson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor during the battle.

16) The men who fought in the Campaign on Guadalcanal deserve to have their story told in our homes and in the classrooms.

17) The four ships that took my Father and others to their war destination.1) USS Zeilin to Guadalcanal, 2) USS Heywood to New Georgia, 3) USS Rixey to Guam Island, and 4) MS Kota Baroe a Dutch Ship to San Francisco on his way home.