The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major William R. Tumbelston (MCSN: 0-5741), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 11 March 1945. After making a thorough reconnaissance of the battalion forward positions under heavy enemy mortar and sniper fire, Major Tumbelston obtained permission to assault a strongly defended Japanese position which had held up the advance of the battalion and was inaccessible to tanks. Courageous in the face of concentrated enemy fire, he issued his attack order and stationing himself in the front lines to direct his men, preceded with the assault of the strong point. By his heroic leadership under fire, Major Tumbelston inspired his men to overrun the hostile position and to advance three hundred yards over extremely difficult terrain. His fighting spirit throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.