The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Hildreth B. Hatton (MCSN: 430646), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Provisional Rocket Detachment, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 20 February 1945. While the beach was under strong enemy fire, Corporal Hatton volunteered to search for additional rocket fuses urgently needed to carry on the bombardment of Japanese positions. Observing a ship firing rockets from a position fifty yards off shore following an unsuccessful attempt to locate the fused on the beach he plunged into the water, swam to the ship under heavy enemy fire which swept the beach and surf and, remaining in the water, received the fuses in a water tight box which was lowered over the side. Grasping the 25-lb package in his hands, he pushed and dragged his burden through the heavy surf and, despite the continuing fire on the beach, succeeded in delivering the fused to his platoon position, thereby enabling the rocket section to resume fire at a time when its support was critically needed by the assaulting infantry unit. His daring initiative and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.