The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal James H. Dixon (MCSN: 899455), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Tank Driver of the Fifth Tank Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano islands, 20 February 1945. During a fierce engagement with hostile forces, Corporal Dixon was badly wounded and his ankle was broken when an enemy demolition charge destroyed his tank and set it on fire. Emerging from the vehicle armed with a sub-machine gun, he covered the evacuation of the remainder of his crew to another tank and, although hostile fire was directed at him from all sides, held off the Japanese, killing the two who had disabled his tank and forcing the other to take cover. Despite his painful wounds, Corporal Dixon entered the rescuing tank only after all the other members of his crew had done so. His unselfishness, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.