The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joshua Morris (MCSN: 875200), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, in the Marianas Group, on 26 July 1944. Fighting tenaciously against a vastly outnumbering force of Japanese troops occupying a strategic hill on the right flank of his battalion’s position, Private First Class Morris fearlessly advanced alone in a daring attempt to determine the location of enemy troops moving in on the flank and, taunting the Japanese until they replied, skillfully tricked them into revealing their position. When his platoon subsequently was ordered to withdraw from the bitter, uneven battle, he courageously volunteered to cover the retirement, remaining steadfast at his post and defending his position with determined fortitude until, overpowered by the terrific opposition, he was fatally struck down. By his intrepid initiative, aggressive fighting spirit and great personal valor, Private First Class Morris contributed essentially to the successful withdrawal of his unit and aided materially in averting their threatened annihilation, and his self-sacrificing devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.