The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Norman J. Hengemuhle (MCSN: 876823), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of a Collecting Detachment, of the Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 2 March 1945. Learning that there were wounded Marines in a small pocket occupied by friendly troops and flanked on two sides by the Japanese, Private First Class Hengemuhle drove his ambulance into the area and evacuated a number of men. Although his vehicle drew large volumes of hostile fire, he returned to the pocket and aided in repelling a serious enemy counter attack for a period of three hours. When supporting elements arrived, he again evacuated casualties, making a third trip to the area under fire to complete his mission. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.