The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert Deya (MCSN: 558292), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of an Engineer Squad of Company A, fourth Engineer Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 19 February 1945. Assigned with two companions to clear a mined area in the vicinity of his landing team’s ammunition dump to safeguard amphibian tractors unloading supplies, Private first Class Deya carried out his duties with consistent skill and daring despite the enemy’s vicious shellfire. When a nearby ammunition dump received a direct hit, he unhesitatingly proceeded to the blazing area to assist others in scattering unexploded ammunition boxes and, working tirelessly and with superb courage as the enemy continued to lay down a terrific mortar barrage, was fatally wounded when another hostile shell struck the dump. By his bold initiative, great personal valor and heroic efforts in the face of great peril, Private First Class Deya served as an inspiration to his comrades and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.