The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Anthony B. Kouma (MCSN: 485555), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Headquarters and Service Battery, Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 7 July 1944. Investigating suspicious movement in the vicinity of his Battery’s position, Corporal Kouma worked his way forward from his foxhole and, discovering the enemy in force to his front, alerted the listening posts and directed accurate and effective automatic fire against the Japanese. Doggedly continuing his advance into the enemy lines under intense machine-gun and rifle fire, he located and destroyed two hostile machine guns which were firing into his Battery. He then returned to his own area and, discovering that the position was becoming untenable, efficiently directed the withdrawal of the men and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded. His leadership, courageous devotion to duty and gallant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Kouma and the United States Naval Service.