Milard H. Wiser

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Milard H. Wiser (392989), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as an Ammunition Carrier in a Mortar Section of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 10 March 1945. With the enemy infiltrating the lines and subjecting his 60- mm. mortar position to intense barrages of rifle and grenade fire, Private First Class Wiser resolutely defended his emplacement against Japanese encroachment, delivering accurate and sustained small-arms fire upon the attacking force and accounting for two of the enemy. When a hostile grenade landed in his foxhole, he instantly shouted a warning to his comrades and, falling to his knees in the darkness in an attempt to locate the grenade, absorbed with his own body the full, shattering impact of the exploding charge. Mortally wounded by the explosion, Private First Class Wiser had protected his comrades from injury by the sacrifice of his own life. His courageous and indomitable spirit and heroic devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death inspired all those with whom he served, and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 35331 (November 8, 1945)