The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Louis Komnenich (MCSN: 297027), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Rifleman of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Despite heavy hostile mortar and small-arms fire, Private First Class Komnenich voluntarily led tanks forward of his lines to destroy enemy pillboxes. Advancing ahead of the tanks, he conducted them over difficult terrain and, skillfully directing their fire, rendered valuable assistance in the neutralization of three pillboxes. Later the same day when the tanks were under heavy artillery and small-arms fire and all communications were cut, he braved the hostile barrages to climb on one of the tanks and, while directing fire, sustained a painful wound. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Komnenich and the United States Naval Service.