The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Ivan B. Iversen (MCSN: 527180), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of Headquarters and Service Company, fifth Engineer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 1 March 1945. The first tractor operator to reach the scene of a large fire started by hostile action in his Division’s ammunition dump, Corporal Iversen immediately proceeded with his armored tractor to within a few yards of this exploding inferno and, in the midst of continued enemy artillery and mortar shelling, began to construct fire breaks. When a phosphorous grenade exploded, he leaped from his tractor and shoveled dirt onto the flame, thereby extinguishing it and preventing the spread of fire to large-caliber ammunition. Although seriously wounded by shell fragments while carrying out this task, he again mounted his tractor and completed the juncture of two fire breaks which halted the spread of the fire. He then removed the tractor to a position of safety before accepting medical aid and permitting himself to be evacuated. Corporal Iversen’s outstanding courage, fortitude and unfaltering devotion to duty under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.