The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Julius C. Jakelich (MCSN: 468652), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Acting Platoon Leader, serving with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 24 February 1945. Disregarding his own safety when a fierce onslaught of enemy machine-gun and grenade fire inflicted heavy casualties upon his platoon during the advance against a strongly organized hostile position located on a precipitous ridge, Sergeant Jakelich personally worked his way forward and located the Japanese machine gun. Quickly organizing his men, he destroyed the emplacement and, leading a squad forward of the front lines, succeeded in attracting enemy fire which revealed two additional Japanese positions. Ordering his squad’s withdrawal to permit friendly mortars to fire, he personally remained in the forward area until his men reached safety. Although instantly killed in the act of rejoining his men, Sergeant Jakelich, by his bold initiative, skillful tactics and aggressive leadership, had contributed to the seizure of a vital hostile position, and his conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.