In November 1942, during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Solomon Islands, Yancey's leadership in a strategic battle earned him the Navy Cross[1] and a battlefield commission to lieutenant.
After World War II, he served in the Marine Corps Reserve unit in Little Rock[2] (at the time Company C of the 15th Infantry Battalion) until he was called to active service in the summer of 1950.
[14] Citation:The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal John Yancey (MCSN: 335303), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company F, SECOND Marine Raider Battalion in combat against enemy Japanese forces on the upper Lunga River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 30 November 1942.
Leading his squad into a hostile bivouac, Corporal Yancey surprised over a hundred of the enemy, and although vastly outnumbered, he charged into the group, his automatic weapon blasting.
With his company subjected to a savage and sustained night attack by an enemy force of approximately two battalions while defending strategic high ground north of Yudam-ni, and with adjacent platoon positions infiltrated by hostile troops, First Lieutenant Yancey bravely rushed into the thick of the fighting in a daring attempt to rally the men and seal the gap in the lines.
Although wounded by an enemy bullet which penetrated his cheek and lodged in his neck, he led the Marines through snow and sub-zero temperatures in a fierce hand-to-hand encounter with the hostile force, drove off the attackers and quickly reorganized the unit.
Despite two further wounds sustained during the intensive action, he gallantly refused to be evacuated and continued to lead his company in repelling the hostile attacks until, weakened by loss of blood and no longer able to see, he was forced to accept medical aid.
By his inspiring leadership, outstanding courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant Yancey was directly instrumental in the successful defense of the area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.