The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class James M. Hammond, Jr. (MCSN: 415029), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 16 March 1945. After being wounded in action and evacuated to a rear area for removal from the island, Private First Class Hammond voluntarily returned to duty with his company on the front lines. Taking over a squad on 16 March, after reporting back to his company he led his men in the seizure of a strongly defended enemy position, his squad annihilating at least fourteen of the Japanese under his aggressive direction. Although wounded again in this action and evacuated, Private First Class Hammond, b his gallant spirit and devotion to duty contributed materially to the success of his unit and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.