The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Harold E. Benedict (MCSN: 435738), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Flame Thrower Operator of Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. When a continuous hail of enemy fire from underbrush leading to a honeycomb of caves pinned down his entire company, Private First Class Benedict took the only available flame thrower and systematically burned the underbrush leading to the caves which held an estimated two hundred of the Japanese. Single-handedly, he burnt the entire area, driving at least twenty of the hostile covering forces back into their caves and enabling his company to advance to within striking distance of the objective, where he then neutralized three caves and a pillbox. During this five-hour period, he traveled back and forth to the Battalion Quartermaster Dump with the extremely heavy weapon for refilling and, upon returning, immediately put it into action. By his indomitable fighting spirit in the face of enemy fire, Private First Class Benedict served as an inspiration to his company, and his courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Service.