The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James H. Hobbs (MCSN: 976636), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Automatic Rifleman serving with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 2 March 1945 Crawling forward in the face of a furious barrage of hostile machine gun and small arms fire to locate enemy positions that were impeding his company’s advance, Private First Class Hobbs discovered an enemy gun crew reassembling for more effective resistance. Quickly opening fire with his weapon, he killed the entire crew and, although detected by the enemy and immediately subjected to heavy small arms fire, remained steadfast in his exposed position and succeeded in destroying a second crew about to take over the emplacement. While attempting to return to his platoon he was mortally wounded by enemy sniper fire. Private First Class Hobb’s cool courage and outstanding devotion to duty throughout this critical period upheld the highest traditions of the Unites States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.