Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Edward L. Asbill (MCSN: 0-7559), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Although his company was pinned down and suffering heavy casualties from continuous hostile fire, Major Asbill skillfully directed artillery and mortar fire on eleven enemy positions and, guiding tanks up in pairs, directed their fire on supporting emplacements. Subsequently working forward with another tank and demolition squad, he rushed an additional emplacement and then, leading his company over six hundred yards of relatively flat ground, destroyed all eleven fortifications. Reorganizing his company, he again led a charge on the objective and, despite hostile fire, destroyed numerous concealed Japanese machine guns, riflemen and one antitank gun. By his courageous leadership, fighting spirit and devotion to duty, Major Asbill insured the capture of high ground in the sector which denied the enemy direct observation to the beach and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received