The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospital Apprentice First Class James F. Twedt (NSN: 6219076), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with the First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 19 February 1945. While struggling up the beach under a terrific enemy artillery and mortar barrage, Hospital Apprentice First Class Twedt was grievously wounded by an exploding shell. Flying shrapnel and the force of the blast amputated one of his feet and badly mangled the other. However, despite his desperate condition, and, although fully aware of his own peril and immediate need for medical attention, Hospital Apprentice First Class Twedt’s first instinct was to perform his duties and aid other wounded. Dragging himself painfully to the wounded man next to him, he administered first aid. Although Hospital Apprentice First Class Twedt was rapidly losing blood, he continued to bandage this wounded man, calling for additional aid, and not until he had assured himself that another Corpsman was on the way and that he had done his duty to the best of his ability, did he give attention to his own wounds. Hospital Apprentice First Class Twedt died as a result of these wounds, but his outstanding devotion to duty in addition to his resolute courage was exemplary. His extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.