The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Theodore C. Fajardo (MCSN: 0-41837), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 13 May 1945. Assigned the mission of assaulting and seizing high grounds which dominated the entire Regimental zone of action, Second Lieutenant Fajardo led his platoon against a firmly entrenched and desperate enemy and, by skillful deployment of his unit and able leadership, succeeded in mounting the precipitous hill in the face of concentrated fire from the numerically superior hostile force, although most of his men, including himself, were wounded during the assault. Subjected, upon reaching the objective, to repeated counterattacks by the enemy who had been concealed in caves on the reverse slope of the hill, Second Lieutenant Fajardo repelled each attack with heavy casualties to the Japanese, despite the fact that the strength of his platoon was already seriously depleted due to casualties suffered during the assault. After organized resistance in the area had been crushed, he still refused evacuation until the pinnacle was cleared of all hostile snipers and stragglers. By his courage and outstanding leadership under enemy fire, Second Lieutenant Fajardo contributed materially to the success of a difficult mission which resulted in the destruction of five hostile fortifications and the annihilation of fifty Japanese soldiers. His unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.