The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Willard F. Gabriel (MCSN: 273256), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Member of an Advance Patrol serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 7 March 1945. Painfully wounded by a sudden burst of hostile shellfire emanating from a well-concealed Japanese emplacement while reconnoitering an enemy infested area several hundred yards to the front of our lines, Private First Class Gabriel voluntarily risked his life in a valiant effort to wipe out the resistance. Realizing that he alone knew the location of the strong point, he dauntlessly crawled forward and, upon raising his head to reconnoiter again, was struck a second time by the enemy. Determined to complete his perilous mission despite his waning strength, he steadfastly maintained his position, relentlessly firing his remaining rounds of ammunition and indicating the location of the emplacement before he succumbed to his wounds. By his daring initiative, unwavering perseverance and valiant fighting spirit maintained in the face of tremendous odds, Private First Class Gabriel enabled his comrades to advance and wipe out the resistance and contributed materially to the success of our sustained drive against this vital hostile stronghold. His great personal valor and self-sacrificing devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.