The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Warrant Officer Ira Davidson (MCSN: WO-30070), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Leader of a 37-mm. Gun Platoon of Weapons Company, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Observing that no supporting fire other than from infantry could be brought to bear upon six hostile pillboxes and large caliber mortars which were holding up the advance of a rifle company with intense and accurate fire, Warrant Officer Davidson volunteered to place a 37-mm. gun position to fire on the enemy point. Crossing an open strip raked by hostile antitank, small-arms, machine-gun and large caliber mortar fire, he obtained a 37-mm. gun at his platoon assembly area and personally aided in manhandling this gun across the open fire-covered airstrip for a distance of two hundred yards. After placing the gun in position, he directed accurate fire into the pillbox openings, thereby annihilating the enemy and enabling the advance to continue. Although hostile mortars had registered on his position, Warrant Officer Davidson continued to keep his gun firing and succeeded in maintaining support until his fire was masked by the advancing troops. His initiative and courageous devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.