The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Gerald J. J. Henggeler (MCSN: 956955), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rocket Launcher Operator of Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 20 May 1945. During an assault on a strongly defended hostile position, Private Henggeler detected a carefully concealed Japanese pill box which was holding up the advance of an adjacent unit with flanking fire. Unhesitatingly, he advanced through heavy small arms and mortar fire and destroyed the emplacement, thereby permitting the neighboring unit to continue its advance. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire reflect the highest credit on Private Henggeler and the United States Naval Service.