The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John B. Makstutis (288911), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 16 March 1945. When his platoon launched an attack on a strong enemy pocket of resistance which was holding up the Battalion with intense flanking fire, Sergeant Makstutis led two tanks up to the pocket and directed their fire. After judging the area neutralized, he moved his platoon up and assaulted the hostile positions, forcing the Japanese to scatter and move to three large emplacements where they blew themselves up thereby enabling our troops to move forward rapidly. Prior to the third explosion, Sergeant Makstutis was seriously wounded. By his courage and initiative, Sergeant Makstutis contributed materially to the success of the operation, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Mr. Makstutis resided in Pennsylvania.