The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class William A. Goff (MCSN: 465828), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Demolitions Man of Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 19 and 20 February 1945. Separated from his squad upon landing on D-Day and working entirely upon his own initiative, Private First Class Goff destroyed two hostile pillboxes with the limited explosives he carried. Although painfully wounded while destroying the second pillbox, he refused to go to the Battalion Aid Station upon rejoining his squad the following morning and continued with the squad in the assault. When two more enemy pillboxes halted his platoon’s advance, he crawled toward them amidst heavy hostile small-arms fire and, after throwing several hand grenades through the fire ports of the first one, placed a demolition charge which completely destroyed the emplacement. Again wounded while repeating the performance on the second pillbox, he remained long enough to place a charge and ignite it, thereby destroying the pillbox and enabling his platoon to advance successfully. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.