Elmer Foster Montgomery

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Elmer Foster Montgomery (482818), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as a Rifleman, serving with a platoon of Company C, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 11 March 1945. Pinned down with his platoon beyond the front lines by intense fire emanating from a strongly fortified enemy emplacement, Sergeant Montgomery boldly advanced alone against the entrenched Japanese in the face of devastating, point-blank barrages and, spraying the hostile position with bullets, succeeded in diverting the savage fire from his comrades to a concentration upon himself, thereby enabling the members of his platoon to evacuate the untenable forward area and return to their own lines. His self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of others and his daring initiative, heroic conduct and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death were inspiring to those with whom he served and reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Montgomery and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 36921 (December 19, 1945)