The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Ben J. Heye, Jr. (MCSN: 826987), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Demolitionist of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 24 March 1945. After his squad leader was wounded and the squad depleted and disorganized by heavy casualties sustained from hostile machine gun and rifle fire, Private Heye called for volunteers and reorganized the squad. Perceiving that sniper and machine gun fire from two enemy emplacements was holding up the advance of the forward elements of his company, he rushed forward through the intense fire and, placing demolitions in the embrasures of one emplacement, completely destroyed it and its three occupants and then directed the destruction of the other by his squad. By his courageous efforts, Private Heye enabled his company to continue its advance and his unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.