The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Lawrence E. Healy (MCSN: 807752), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jim, Volcano Islands on 27 February 1945. In command of the company mortar section when thirty of the enemy attempted a night assault upon the rear of his position, Sergeant Healy fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile rifle fire in order to alert his men and direct their fire. When the Japanese had become entrenched among the rocks and empty emplacements he fiercely counter attacked and by rushing among them on three separate occasions and throwing grenades in an effort to kill or dislodge them from their positions, succeeded in annihilating them all. His outstanding leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.