The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private Henry T. Pound (MCSN: 993448), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a Rifleman, serving with Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 1 March 1945. Climbing to the top of a jagged, towering rock on Hill 382 during a fierce skirmish with the Japanese in one of the strongest enemy defensive sectors, Private Pound repeatedly exposed himself to intense rifle, grenade and machine-gun barrages in order to fire upon the many Japanese running intermittently from their caves in desperate delaying counterattacks against our advancing Marines. With hostile hand grenades exploding dangerously close to his vulnerable position and bullets whining past him, once piercing his helmet and twice damaging rifles in his hand, Private Pound maintained steady fire upon all Japanese coming within range of his deadly weapon and, making his way toward the rear area on two occasions for spare rifles and additional ammunition, returned each time to the rocky pinnacle and resumed his daring action, killing at lest two of the enemy and pinning many more inside their caves and emplacements. Taking up his station again, following a second trip to the rear lines, he continued to wage a bitter fight against the fanatic enemy, completing ninety minutes of almost constant exposure to intense fire before he fell, mortally wounded. His fearless initiative, indomitable spirit, unyielding courage and heroic devotion to duty at grave personal risk were inspiring to those with whom he served and reflect the highest credit upon Private Pound and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.