The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Leonard F. Blake (MCSN: 0-20024), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Tank Platoon Leader of Company C, Fifth Tank Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 1 March 1945. When he observed that one of the tanks of his platoon was disabled in a platoon that had been by-passed by the infantry, Second Lieutenant Blake dismounted from his tank and, with two other tank crew members, killed three enemy soldiers who were attempting to attack the disabled vehicle, thereby enabling the crew of the damaged tank to escape to safety. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.