The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Elmer R. Betts (MCSN: 1206938), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Headquarters Company, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 3 February 1953. While turning his flame-throwing tank around in preparation for a withdrawal after completing his mission of burning enemy trenches forward of the main line of resistance, corporal Betts noticed two wounded Marines in the ravine to the rear and immediately reversed the motion of the vehicle to get closer to the casualties. When his tank was stopped and held fast by an erosion ditch, he dismounted in the midst of heavy enemy small-arms and mortar fire and ground-guided his tank out of the ditch and into the ravine where he assisted the wounded Marines to climb aboard. Informed by the casualties that their tank had been penetrated twice by antitank projectiles which had probably killed the platoon leader and the loader, he immediately enlisted the aid of a fellow tank commander and, running through intense hostile fire to the disabled tank, which was located within twenty yards of well-entrenched enemy forces, succeeded in driving it back to the nearest first aid station. By his exceptional valor, daring initiative and unyielding devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds, Corporal Betts served to inspire all who observed him and was instrumental in saving the lives of the tank crew, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.