The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Leslie P. Farmer (MCSN: 374859), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of Company C, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on February 25, 1945. Wounded in the leg while participating in an assault across Motoyama Airfield Number Two against strong hostile forces entrenched on commanding ground. Sergeant Farmer refused to be evacuated and, when enemy activity was observed on the exposed left flank of the company, moved the platoon to the exposed flank to annihilate an attacking force of twenty of the enemy and secure the flank against further attack. His resolute courage and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.