The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Donald Lasco (MCSN: 352109), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Leader of a Fire Team serving with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, Fist Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu Island, Palau Group, on 1 October 1944. Dispatched to assist in the capture of a high ridge vital to his company’s mission, Private First Class Lasco was courageously leading his men forward across an open road when a sudden burst of machine-gun fire halted the advance of his team and severely wounded one of its members. In a valiant attempt to draw the fire away from his fallen comrade and locate the hostile emplacement, he boldly stood upright in the face of the intense barrage, seized an automatic weapon and, fearlessly advancing through the fire-swept area, single-handedly charged the Japanese position, but while directing effective fire against the enemy, was fatally wounded by a shell from a second hostile machine gun. By his aggressive leadership, his indomitable fighting spirit and exceptional fortitude in the face of extreme peril, Private First Class Lasco served as an inspiring example to his comrades, and his self-sacrificing efforts and unwavering devotion to the completion of an extremely hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.