The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Thomas G. Mahoney (MCSN: 0-16877), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company I attached to the Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Confronted by the intricate network of Japanese defenses which had immobilized his company at the base of Mount Suribachi, First Lieutenant Mahoney boldly defied the heavy mortar and rifle fire pouring down from volcano emplacements and the shattering machine-gun fire from the front and right flanks to lead two tanks into advantageous attack position forward of his front lines. Under the merciless slash of enemy bullets as the Japanese intensified the concentrated barrage, he placed himself ahead of the lines and, fully exposed to the enemy’s view, rallied his platoons and led an inspiring assault against the hostile garrisons. Fighting indomitably, he spurred his men onward with such decisive valor that his units overran the Japanese strong points and gained an advance of approximately 400 yards, thereby enabling his force to cover the entire battalion front as it moved inexorably forward to aid in the ultimate capture of the mountain bastion. His brilliant leadership, daring tactics and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice throughout a critical period of the bitter hostilities reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Mahoney, his stouthearted Marines and the United States Naval Service.