The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Ernest M. Lidenberg (MCSN: 852159), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 16 May 1945. Although severely wounded during the early stages of his company’s assault against Sugar Loaf Hill, Private Lidenberg courageously continued in the advance and, after his company obtained its objective, held his position in the face of severe hostile fire during a desperate enemy counterattack. When his company was ordered to effect a temporary withdrawal, he stayed on the lines to cover the evacuation of the wounded with accurate and intensive automatic rifle fire. One of the first to be wounded in the assault, he was among the last to leave after his company had withdrawn, remaining at his post until ordered to the rear. Hid determination, fortitude and staunch devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private Lidenberg and the United States Naval Service.