The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Ivan Thomas Smith (MCSN: 498107), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 10 May 1945. When intense hostile mortar and machine-gun fire halted the advance of his unit, Sergeant Smith immediately contacted three friendly tanks and led them into advantageous positions to fire point-blank into enemy pillboxes and deeply entrenched Japanese soldiers. Continuing his daring actions, he made several trips across open terrain under heavy fire to carry four wounded men to positions of safety and supervised the evacuation of two others. Returning to the tanks, he again directed their fire on two enemy automatic weapons positions until both were destroyed. By his outstanding courage and initiative in the face of enemy fire, Sergeant Smith served as a constant inspiration to others and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.