The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Sergeant Harold E. Harper (MCSN: 224637), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as First Sergeant of Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 15 March 1945. Armed only with a shotgun and hand grenades after hostile forces had attacked his company and inflicted casualties, First Sergeant Harper single-handedly sought out and attacked the enemy and, although severely wounded, boldly continued his relentless firing until he had exhausted all his ammunition. When his wound had been treated, he made a second hazardous trip to the area and carried out another attack until he had succeeded in annihilating all of the nineteen resisting Japanese. By his indomitable courage and initiative, First Sergeant Harper upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.