The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Raymond L. Battocletti (MCSN: 890604), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 4 March 1945. When his platoon sustained heavy casualties from accurate enemy machine gun and sniper fire, Private First Class Battocletti unhesitatingly made his way forward in the face of devastating hostile fire and carried two wounded men to a position where medical aid could be administered. Later the same day, when both his Corpsmen had become casualties, he bravely worked his way forward over hazardous terrain to administer first aid to a wounded Marine and protected the stricken man against enemy sniper fire for a period of thirty minutes until his platoon had advanced. By his outstanding courage, daring initiative and selfless efforts in behalf of his comrades, Private First Class Battocletti upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.