Captain ROY A. NEWTON, was granted the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the destroyer U.S.S. Stack during an engagement with enemy Japanese naval forces in Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands, on the night of August 6-7, 1943. Participating in a well-timed and perfectly coordinated gun and torpedo attack, Captain Newton (then Lieutenant Commander) skillfully maneuvered for maximum fire power and struck boldly and with relentless determination, contributing materially to the success of our destroyer force in sinking a Japanese cruiser and three destroyers. His courageous and inspiring leadership which brought his ship and crew through this hazardous engagement without loss or damage reflects great credit upon Commander Newton, his command and the United States Naval Service.

Captain Newton joined the Legion of Valor in 1962 and resided in Southern California.