The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ruthven A. Aubrey (MCSN: 0-17196), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an 81-mm. Mortar Platoon Leader, attached to Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 10 March 1945. Stationing himself each day at an observation post on the front lines to observe the enemy positions and direct mortar fire, First Lieutenant Aubrey maintained support for his battalion at all times. On the night of 21 February, he set his mortars in position and, making a personal reconnaissance of an enemy avenue of approach despite the darkness, succeeded in stopping a hostile counterattack and killing twenty of the Japanese. On 10 March, he advanced beyond the front lines, detected enemy fortifications, and throughout the morning, directed his fire on one position after another, thus enabling the battalion to advance. Later, he ran forward through heavy rifle fire to observe a newly discovered enemy target area and, although pinned down by hostile fire, continued to direct effective fire against the enemy until he himself was severely wounded by a Japanese machine gunner. First Lieutenant Aubrey’s tactical skill and courageous fighting spirit in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.