The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Sergeant Harry B. Williams (MCSN: 153020), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 21 June 1944. Knowing that friendly troops had been observed to enter nearby woods and unaware that they had been previously driven out by enemy action, First Sergeant Williams’ company had been ordered not to counter the heavy fire of small arms and machine guns emanating from the wooded area. After pyrotechnic signals and other means had failed to halt the supposedly friendly fire, First Sergeant Williams unhesitatingly ran forward across the two-hundred yard open expanse separating his company’s position from the adjacent woods, but was fatally struck down the by the enemy while giving the cease fire signal. His daring initiative, great personal valor and indomitable courage at the sacrifice of his own life for the safety of his men reflect the highest credit upon First Sergeant Williams and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.