The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Harold Lewis Louth (MCSN: 461231), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island, on 28 December 1943. Following a tank in a determined assault on a hostile pillbox, Private First Class Louth observed his sergeant in peril of being killed by heavy machine-gun fire from the enemy emplacement and rushed forward to throw himself immediately in front of his comrade, thereby drawing the fire of the enemy gun to himself and saving his sergeant’s life. By his self-sacrificing action, he enabled his sergeant to attack and demolish the Japanese pillbox with hand grenades. Private First Class Louth’s exceptional valor and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.