Oral L. Tankersley

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Oral L. Tankersley (431857), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Demolition Squad Leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 14 March 1945. When the front line assault troops were pinned down by intense enemy mortar, machine-gun and rifle fire, Private Tankersley voluntarily left he company command post, obtained a flame thrower from the battalion dump and, on his own initiative, worked his way ahead of the front lines to attack entrenched hostile troops, destroying some of their positions and forcing them to abandon others. Although seriously wounded by Japanese grenades thrown at close range and ordered back to the battalion aid station, he refused to be evacuated. No longer able to carry the flame thrower, he resolutely returned to the company command post, armed himself with an automatic rifle and returned to the front lines to assist the assault platoons. His indomitable fighting spirit, initiative, gallantry and self-sacrificing devotion to duty served as an inspiration to his organization and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 35296 (October 25, 1945)