The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class James J. Nelson (MCSN: 810731), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 17 June 1944. When his company’s sector was heavily attacked by enemy tanks during the early morning hours, Private First Class Nelson personally attacked one of the vehicles with antitank grenades, setting it on fire. As the crew attempted to escape from the burning tank, he disregarded the fire directed at him from another tank and succeeded in annihilating the entire crew. Quickly changing his position to bring fire to bear on the supporting Japanese infantry, he inflicted heavy casualties on the approaching hostile troops with his accurate rifle fire. By his cool courage, great personal valor and devotion to duty, he contributed materially to our success in this area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.