The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Major Fenton J. Mee (MCSN: 0-5984), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding officer of the First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. Assuming command after his Commanding Officer and the Battalion Executive Officer became casualties, Major Mee quickly reorganized the Battalion and pressed the attack in his zone of action against the heavily fortified ‘Amphitheatre’ area from which the Japanese poured devastating fire into our advancing assault troops. Skillfully maneuvering his men in this area to gain the vital and critical high ground to the rear, he contained and by-passed the pocket of resistance in the fortified area and, courageously moving from foxhole to foxhole in the front lines of his assault platoons, led his Battalion forward yard-by-yard through intense enemy rocket, mortar, antitank, machine-gun and small-arms fire. By his great personal leadership and tactical skill, Major Mee contributed greatly to the success of his unit in capturing the commanding high ground in the rear of ‘Turkey Knob’. His initiative, bravery and aggressive fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.