The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Louis Bateman Blissard (MCSN: 0-5723), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious achievement as Executive Officer of the First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. Landing in the initial assault on D-Day, Lieutenant Colonel Blissard rendered valuable assistance to his Battalion Commander in coordinating the efforts of the staff which was subjected to continuous enemy interference throughout the day and night. When the Battalion Commander was killed early on the following day, he carried on as Commanding Officer with the remains of an executive staff during the succeeding twenty-five days of an unusually hazardous and difficult mission and, despite the heavy losses in personnel and equipment, succeeded in maintaining a high standard of morale and an effective fighting spirit within his badly depleted organization. His leadership and professional ability were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Blissard is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)