The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant Harry P. Pearce (MCSN: 0-42016), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945. Replacing an officer casualty in an assault platoon during a vital phase of the offensive against a strongly-entrenched enemy hill position, Second Lieutenant Pearce led his platoon along a valley leading to the hostile stronghold. Ordered to withdraw when a sudden barrage of machine-gun and rifle fire wounded several of his men, he directed fire against the Japanese to cover the evacuation of the casualties. Constantly exposing himself to enemy fire, he directed the stretcher-bearers and, after administering first aid to five walking wounded, personally assisted them to safety through a fire-swept area. After supervising the orderly withdrawal of his platoon, he again searched the area to insure that no wounded remained, killing several of the Japanese who attempted to charge the helpless men, and throwing smoke grenades to provide a screen for the stretcher-bearers who were handling litter cases. The last man to leave the area, he served as a constant inspiration to his men and, by his unfaltering courage and determination, was responsible for saving the lives of at least twelve men. His gallant leadership throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.