The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Edward D. Jones (MCSN: 338175), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Guide of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 February 1945. When his Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant were both wounded, Sergeant Jones assumed command of the unit and, despite intense fire from hostile riflemen, machine guns and mortars and the hazardous terrain which afforded little cover, moved from squad to squad issuing orders and reorganizing his platoon. Further exposing himself to the heavy fire, Sergeant Jones secured and directed the fire of a platoon of tanks against the enemy positions in the company zone and, after the tanks had partially neutralized the platoon, thereby enabling his company to achieve its final objective with a minimum of casualties. His outstanding courage, leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.