The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John K. Hogan (MCSN: 0-10731), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 19 February to 23 March 1945. Upon learning that the Company Commander of the unit next to his was wounded, leaving the company in a precarious position with no one remaining competent to take over the command, Captain Hogan first ascertained that his own lines were intact and, after giving all necessary orders to his own Platoon Leaders, proceeded through heavy mortar and rifle fire to the adjacent company command post where he effected its reorganization making it a tactical unit once again. By thus assisting the disorganized unit, he prevented a break in the lines which would have forced the withdrawal of the entire Battalion. When his company was engaged in heavy fighting on 19 March, Captain Hogan ordered his runner to remain in the command post and proceeded alone to the front lines. Making his way from man to man despite heavy rifle and machine gun fire, he placed them in the best available positions and, setting the example by his own courage, led them forward in the assault. His tactical skill and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.