The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Petero Melzoni (MCSN: 329736), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines (Reinforced), Fifth Amphibious Corps, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Eniwetok Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, 20 February 1944. When the front lines of his platoon were repeatedly raked by heavily damaging fire from an enemy mortar, Private Melzoni voluntarily attacked and destroyed the Japanese mortar section which constituted a grave menace to his comrades, thereby contributing materially to the success of the front-line troops in holding and ultimately annihilating the enemy with a minimum of casualties. Armed with a Browning Automatic Rifle, he continued to play and important part in the destruction of hostile forces in his platoon’s sector. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.