The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edward James Coleman (MCSN: 354233), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 22 February and 7 March 1945. Landing with his company late on D-Day, Private First Class Coleman pressed forward with determined aggressiveness against the savage resistance of a fanatic enemy, on one occasion crawling well ahead of the front lines and taking station in a strategic position where he launched a rocket and grenade attack, quickly eliminating a machine-gun nest which had halted his company’s advance. Waging a furious battle without respite as his unit steadily penetrated the strongly fortified Japanese defenses, he unhesitatingly risked his life when his company was again pinned down by the enemy’s smashing barrage of fire on 7 March, cautiously infiltrating the Japanese lines to reach an extremely dangerous position in the midst of hostile emplacements located on the high ground behind the enemy’s defensive position. Instantly attacking with hand grenades, he knocked out enemy guns, killed several of the Japanese and completely demoralized the hostile forces before he himself was fatally struck down. Cool and deliberate in the face of overwhelming odds, Private First Class Coleman, by his great personal valor and daring tactics, had enabled his company to advance and seize the objective and his indomitable fighting spirit through sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.