The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Raymond D. Rogers (MCSN: 308041), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Leader of a Fire Team of Company F, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 21 February 1945. When extremely heavy grenade and small arms fire from an enemy cave position held up the advance of his company, Private First Class Rogers voluntarily rushed across a wide open area to the cave entrance despite fierce resistance from the hostile forces inside the position. Covering his advance with hand grenades, he charged into the cave and, with his pistol, destroyed the three Japanese occupants who had halted the advance. By his initiative, he enabled his company to continue its advance without casualties and contributed materially to the prompt destruction of the remaining hostile troops in the area. His gallant fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.