The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George C. Stolieckas (MCSN: 415503), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. When men were needed to lead our tanks forward across five hundred yards of open terrain, swept by heavy enemy machine-gun and mortar fire from the heights of Mount Suribachi, Private First Class Stolieckas volunteered for this hazardous mission. Fully aware of the great personal danger involved, he courageously walked in an upright position in front of the lead tank, giving the necessary arm and hand signals as he proceeded. After reaching a point approximately fifty yards from the tank’s objective, Private First Class Stolieckas sustained severe wounds. His bravery, initiative and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.