The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Elton L. Hatler (MCSN: 965419), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Browning Automatic Rifleman of Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 2 May 1945. Although himself wounded when his platoon had been forced to withdraw in the face of heavy enemy fire, Private Hatler steadfastly refused to leave the side of a Marine whose legs had been blown off below the knee. Fully aware of the danger and voluntarily risking his life, he held off the enemy for three grueling hours, abandoning his position only after the man had succumbed to his wounds and he himself had expended his ammunition. His personal valor and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.