The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel William G. Robb (MCSN: 0-5201), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 17 to 18 May 1945. An inspiring and forceful leader, Lieutenant Colonel Robb led his Battalion in the seizure of the most important and desperately defended terrain feature in the Division zone of action, capturing the keystone of the enemy defense in the Naha-Shuri line. Though repulsed three times by a fanatical defense which was constantly being reinforced by fresh troops, he requested permission to attack Sugar Loaf Hill again despite heavy casualties from the previous attacks. Exposing himself to enemy fire on many occasions in order to encourage his men and to direct more effectively the attack on the vital objective, Lieutenant Colonel Robb successfully seized the objective and held it in spite of a determined and fierce enemy counterattack, thereby causing the enemy to withdraw from the Naha-Shuri line. His courage and indomitable fighting spirit throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.