The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of the attack force in the assault and capture of enemy-held Iwo Jima from 19 February to 16 March 1945, and subsequently as Commander, Joint Expeditionary Force, at Okinawa Gunto, 17 May to 21 June 1945. Admiral Hill expertly controlled all phases of the ship-to-shore operations against fierce enemy resistance. During the Iwo campaign, he directed the landing of troops and equipment on the heavily-fortified beachhead, as well as the unloading of garrison troops and shipping. With our forces deployed over a wide area, he faced the most violent opposition experienced in the Pacific area to supervise the over-all unloading operation at Okinawa Gunto and, in addition, coordinated naval gunfire and air support and directed the expeditious assault and seizure of Iheya Shima and Aguni Shima, which served to strengthen our position in Okinawa and permit the release of protective combatant ships for other duties.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States by his brilliant leadership in preparing troops and ships, and formulating plans for the operations against Tarawa, Eniwetok, Apamama and Majuro Atolls. Admiral Hill was in command of naval attack forces prior to and during those operations from 19 September 1943 until 12 March 1944.