The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Donald S. Howell (MCSN: 529977), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 4 March 1945. While engaged in an attack against well-entrenched enemy forces, Private First Class Howell found himself the sole survivor of his machine-gun squad. When extremely heavy machine-gun and mortar fire immobilized his platoon, he located a point well forward of his present position from which to deliver more effective fire and assist his platoon in gaining fire superiority. Picking up his machine gun, tripod and box of ammunition, he boldly ran forward thirty yards to the new position and, placing his gun into action, fired into the flank of the Japanese emplacements. By his skill, aggressive fighting spirit and courage in remaining at his position, Private First Class Howell aided his platoon in regaining the initiative in the attack, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.