The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Leslie J. Day (MCSN: 370816), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 24 February 1945. When a night counterattack by the enemy penetrated the right of his company sector and opened a gap through which they began to enter our positions, Platoon Sergeant Day organized a seven-man squad from the support platoon and led it in an assault against the break through. Fighting with bayonets and hand grenades, he succeeded with the aid of his group in killing ten of the Japanese and closing the gap. Quickly reestablishing the position where it had been breached, he secured that sector of the company line against possible attack during the remainder of the night. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Platoon Sergeant Day and the United States Naval Service.