The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant David Vreeland Carter (MCSN: 0-21370/313101), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Third Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 10 July 1944. Voluntarily leading a patrol against a well-placed and strongly fortified enemy pocket of resistance, Second Lieutenant Carter boldly placed himself at the had of his men and moved forward into the pocket in the face of continuous close range rifle and grenade fire. Picking up an automatic rifle, he charged forward, spearheading the attack which wiped out the strong point and annihilated fifty of the Japanese. His inspiring leadership, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Carter and the United States Naval Service.