Henry Witkowski served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Tarawa. His award citation reads: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Henry J. Witkowski (MCSN: 312182), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company H, Second Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. Armed only with a makeshift charge of dynamite, Corporal Witkowski courageously made his way through heavy enemy fire to assault a pillbox which was preventing the landing of our reinforcements and, when the