The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal John G. Folsom (MCSN: 314011), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Member of an Assault Squad, serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 26 February 1945. Cool and courageous, Corporal Folsom boldly took the initiative when his company was held up on a low ridge by heavy Japanese machine-gun fire emanating from two strategically placed pillboxes and, crawling forward alone in the face of direct fire, destroyed both installations with well-directed blasts from his rocket launcher. Instantly assailed by exploding hand grenades hurled from an enemy-held cave to the rear, he fearlessly defied the fanatically fighting cave garrison to fire his remaining rockets into the mouth of the cave and then advanced and attacked with grenades and carbine fire, devastating the hostile position and routing the defending Japanese into the open. By his daring assault tactics, indomitable determination and complete disregard of all personal danger, Corporal Folsom succeeded in freeing his besieged company from an overwhelming concentration of hostile fire and materially furthered his company’s advance against a strongly fortified position. His valiant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.