The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class John Nosarzewski (MCSN: 439556), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Flame Thrower Operator of the Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945. Moving up along his company’s right flank to attack a hostile 75-mm. cannon, Private First Class Nosarzewski advanced alone through heavy enemy machine-gun fire after the friendly automatic rifle, providing him with cover, had jammed. Courageously rushing the gun position, he destroyed the crew with his flame thrower and put the gun out of action. Then, turning on a near-by Japanese mortar and its crew, he annihilated every man, leaving the weapon unattended. Still undaunted in his heroic assault on this hostile pocket of resistance, Private First Class Nosarzewski spotted a pillbox from which he had been harassed by machine-gun fire and, fearlessly charging this emplacement, killed several of the gunners before his fuel ran out. With his flame thrower useless, he coolly drew his pistol and shot down two more of the enemy as they attempted to flee from the position. Private First Class Nosarzewski’s indomitable fighting spirit was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.