The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private Alvin O. Rutledge (MCSN: 543804), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as an Assistant Machine gunner of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, inaction Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 4 March 1945. During an intense barrage of concentrated hostile mortar and machine-gun fire which forced the riflemen around him to withdraw, Private Rutledge remained with his gunner at a position forty or fifty yards ahead of the front lines and, when his companion was mortally wounded, bravely continued to man the gun alone. Although his arm was rendered useless by wounds sustained when he was hit in the hand and arm four times by enemy rifle fire, he boldly persisted in maintaining fire until his weapon failed. Able to use only one of his hands and with no protection except his rifle, Private Rutledge tenaciously held his ground, repaired the gun and, delivering accurate machine-gun fire, repulsed the Japanese, pinning them down until his comrades were able to reoccupy their former positions and evacuate the wounded. His skill, valor and devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflect the highest credit on Private Rutledge and the United States Naval Service.