The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant John R. Haddox (MCSN: 313447), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Telephone Wire Chief of Signal Company, Headquarters Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 20 February 1945. When two marines assisting him sustained severe wounds from enemy mortar fire, Staff Sergeant Haddox lifted one man into his back despite a minor wound which he himself had received and carried him one hundred and fifty yards under fire to an aid station. Returning, he helped the second wounded Marine to safety. Treating his own injury he returned to duty and realizing that units were on the verge of losing contact due to critical shortages of signal equipment, discovered and began operating a cargo carrier between the beaches and the Division Command Post. Making twelve trips in the face of enemy mortar and artillery fire, Staff Sergeant Haddox kept the entire division front supplied with the equipment necessary to maintain contact and control the attack. He continued operating the cargo carrier until he collapsed from exhaustion. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.