The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Platoon Sergeant Clifton Ellsworth Taylor (MCSN: 449884), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Leader of a Rifle Platoon of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Assuming command of his platoon when the leader and all senior non-commissioned officers became casualties during a savage exchange of hand grenades with the enemy, Platoon Sergeant Taylor effectively reorganized the unit and initiated a fierce assault against the almost impregnable Japanese fortifications at the base of Mount Suribachi, boldly exposing himself to slashing small-arms fire and a devastating hand grenade barrage as he forged ahead in an effort to locate positions vital to the enemy’s defensive system. Sharply aware of the futility of ordinary attack methods, he personally made up powerful demolition charges and, working steadily forward under a tremendous volume of mortar fire pouring down from the gun-studded slopes, blasted two connecting trenches and four mortar installations. Determined to insure the annihilation of the hostile gun crew after the explosions, he again crawled forward and threw several live grenades into the mortar pits, silencing all hostile activity and killing or wounding all of the defending enemy, thereby enabling his platoon to occupy the contested strong point and effect the final destruction of the Japanese positions. An aggressive leader and indomitable fighter, Platoon Sergeant Taylor, by his dauntless valor, shrewd tactical skill and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, contributed materially to the success of his company’s initial operations against this fanatically defended Japanese outpost and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the fierce conflict upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.