The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Nicholas A. Del Ninno (MCSN: 0-24204), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Artillery Forward Observer, attached to Battery C, First Battalion, Twelfth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 25 February 1945. Engaged in directing supporting fires for an assault rifle company when he observed an enemy mortar shell strike an adjacent artillery observation team and severely wound the officer in charge, First Lieutenant Del Ninno promptly rushed forward to rescue the shocked and wounded officer who was running toward Japanese lines. Halting the man and pulling him into a shell crater, he rendered first aid and, with no other assistance available, personally carried his wounded comrade two hundred yards through hostile fire to the safety of his own unit. After the completion of this task, he immediately returned to an exposed position in his observation post and continued to direct artillery fire on the enemy until the success of the assault rifle company was assured. His courage, skill in combat and unselfish conduct reflect great credit upon First Lieutenant Del Ninno and the United States Naval Service.