The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Rolland J. Claussen (MCSN: 912558), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a platoon of Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 4 March 1945. When heavy fire from two enemy machine guns were holding up the advance of his platoon with grenades and small arms fire had failed, Private First Class Claussen voluntarily advanced alone in the face of the hostile fire, outflanked the Japanese machine gunners and force them to withdraw to a cave. Obtaining a flame thrower, he then proceeded to the cave under enemy fire, assaulted it and annihilated the occupants. By his bold initiative and fighting spirit he enabled his platoon to continue its advance and his unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.