The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Leo L. Jez (MCSN: 931114), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. While his company was attacking a concentration of enemy positions near Mount Suribachi, Private Jez suddenly came face to face with a Japanese officer brandishing a large sword. When Private Jez’s weapon failed to function, he discarded it and leaped at his opponent engaging him in a bitter hand-to-hand struggle and, although badly wounded during the furious fight, succeeded in disarming the enemy officer and in killing him with the sword. His coolness, courage and heroic devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private Jez and the United States Naval Service.