The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Herbert E. Confer (MCSN: 551078), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Tank Gunner in Company C, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 16 June 1945. When his tank was hit by Japanese fire, disabled and blazing, well in advance of the front lines, and the concentration of enemy small-arms fire made evacuation almost impossible, Private First Class Confer dismounted from the vehicle and, despite great personal risk, drew the hostile fire upon himself until the remainder of the crew could evacuate and seek a place of comparative safety under the tank. Making his way through several enemy positions in the face of hostile fire, he succeeded in contacting a friendly tank and crew which subsequently effected the rescue of his comrades. By his cool initiative, unselfish conduct and courageous devotion to duty in the face of Japanese fire, Private First Class Confer upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.