The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Rommie L. Holt (MCSN: 0-20078), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while attached to Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 17 March 1945. Landing as a Platoon Leader of a rifle platoon in the initial assault, First Lieutenant Holt efficiently reorganized his unit, which had suffered heavy casualties, and skillfully directed its members in a turning maneuver under trying conditions. Continuing the attack in coordination with another platoon, he inspired his men to heroic efforts in seizing their objective in the face of heavy enemy fire. Later in the same day, when his Commanding Officer and all officers senior to him had become casualties, First Lieutenant Holt unhesitatingly assumed command of his company, reorganized it and, by skillful maneuvers together with supporting arms, successfully led it to a position where it could neutralize the enemy fire that was falling on the landing beaches. As the sole surviving officer of his company, he personally aided in carrying vital supplies from the beach through enemy opposition to his assault units. On 12 March, when the advance of his company to a ridge was halted by intense enemy machine-gun fire, he located the positions of the guns and, exposing himself to their fire, personally directed their destruction. First Lieutenant Holt’s courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.