The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Warren H. Pierce (MCSN: 445433), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Squad Leader in a platoon of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 19 February 1945. Seriously wounded and carried ashore by his comrades when landing on the heavily fortified beachhead during the fierce hostilities on D-Day, Sergeant Pierce fearlessly directed the movements of his men against a savagely defending enemy, pouring murderous machine-gun fire into their ranks. Realizing that heavy casualties were being inflicted by the withering automatic fire and the shattering mortar barrage which was brought down upon their stationary positions, he maneuvered his men, with cool determination and tactical skill, to a position where a vicious assault annihilated the fanatic Japanese and enabled his company to advance inland during an extremely critical stage of the battle, before he succumbed to his wounds. Sergeant Pierce’s outstanding leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and great personal valor, despite mortal wounds, contributed materially to the saving of many lives and to the success of our forces in the initial assault, reflecting the highest credit upon himself ant the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.