The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Fred Martin Wallace (MCSN: 0-33035), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a Tank Platoon Leader, attached to Company A, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 14 May 1945. Supporting an advance on a vital enemy position and supervising the evacuation of wounded infantrymen by tanks of his platoon, First Lieutenant Wallace ordered the evacuation covered by fire from his tank, leaped to the ground, and proceeded on foot in the face of a barrage of hostile artillery, mortar and small-arms fire to search a sector of the front lines for casualties. Despite continued heavy enemy fire, he hurriedly aided three wounded infantrymen to the back of his tank and although fatally wounded himself by fire from a Japanese antitank weapon, shielded the helpless men with his own body until the tank arrived at a medical aid station. His courage, unswerving devotion to duty and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice inspired his own and infantry troops to make a successful coordinated attack and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.