The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Harlan C. Jeffery (MCSN: 281888), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of a Demolitions and Flame Thrower Platoon of Headquarters, First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 24 February 1945. Assigned the mission of destroying the hostile pillbox which was holding up the advance of his company, Sergeant Jeffery sustained wounds but, refusing to be evacuated, led his squad forward on his own initiative, he destroyed two more enemy pillboxes, thereby permitting the advance of his company. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.