The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John C. Gravitt (MCSN: 0-19349), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Leader attached to Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 28 September 1944. Skillfully leading his platoon in defense of a sector of the front lines vital to the success of the mission assigned his company, First Lieutenant Gravitt constantly exposed himself to heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire in order to direct the fire of his unit against the fortified hostile emplacements. Observing a group of Japanese moving to a new location and aware that their fire from this point would imperil an adjacent unit and render his own position on a barren ridge untenable, he unhesitatingly seized and automatic rifle from one of his men and, courageously making his way forward to an open area, delivered intense, accurate fire on the enemy group until he was mortally wounded. By his inspiring leadership and dauntless fighting spirit in the face of grave danger, First Lieutenant Gravitt enabled his platoon to locate and destroy the Japanese troops, and his self-sacrificing devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.