The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Donald E. Hendricks (MCSN: 0-22091), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 10 March 1945. Quick to act when his platoon was pinned down under the intense gun fire of strategically located enemy emplacements, First Lieutenant Hendricks advanced forward of the lines to locate the Japanese positions. Continually exposing himself to the hostile fire, he directed a supporting tank platoon into position from which they could fire upon the emplacements and, moving along the line to an adjacent company, skillfully coordinated the maneuvers of both tank units, thereby destroying several enemy strong points before he was himself mortally wounded. His daring initiative and courage in the face of grave personal danger reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Hendricks and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.