The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private Harold E. Richardson (MCSN: 957035), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a Machine Gunner, serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 15 May 1945. Unable to bring his machine gun to bear on hostile forces during a night counterattack by the enemy, Private Richardson immediately picked up his weapon, without the tripod, and fearlessly advanced approximately twenty-five yards despite intense fire, rough terrain and darkness. Taking station in a position exposed to the concentrated hostile barrage, he opened fire with his machine gun, shooting it from the hip and killing at lest fifteen Japanese before he was mortally wounded. His courageous action and indomitable fighting spirit aided materially in breaking up the hostile counterattack and prevented the enemy from infiltrating his company’s lines, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon Private Richardson and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.