The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class John G. Ioanna, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. Serving with courage and distinction during this campaign, Private First Class Ioanna made several trips through un-cleared mine fields and heavy barrages of enemy mortar and artillery fire to obtain ammunition for use of the front line troops. When his platoon was held up by heavy Japanese fire on 10 March 1945, he voluntarily joined a bazooka operator in crawling forward to neutralize the hostile pillbox and, after his comrade was killed, picked up the bazooka with which he had no previous experience, moved to within fifty feet of the enemy and destroyed the hostile strong point. On 12 March, he participated in a scouting mission behind enemy lines and succeeded in destroying a large Japanese ammunition dump. Leading his squad forward in attack the next day, he was instantly killed by sniper fire. By his courage, initiative and devotion to duty throughout, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.