Daniel F. Casey

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Daniel F. Casey (0-34204), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as a Platoon Leader, attached to Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 6 March 1945. When his group was designated as the assault platoon of an early morning attack against a heavily fortified Japanese position, Second Lieutenant Casey dauntlessly led his men forward despite the terrific enemy fire which wounded or killed one-half of his platoon within twenty minutes. Undeterred by the powerful blasts from the hostile position and from the seriousness of wounds he had sustained in the bitter action, he refused to half or slacken his progress and, by sheer momentum of his charge, enabled the whole company to advance. Refusing medical aid from the attending corpsman until the wounded members of his platoon had first been cared for, he valiantly continued the advance with the remnants of his platoon until he fell, mortally wounded, from a second hit. His courageous fighting spirit, perseverance and indomitable determination in the face of insuperable odds reflect the highest credit upon Second Lieutenant Casey and upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on January 15, 1947