The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Jay J. Holt (MCSN: 818044), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 20 February 1945. Undaunted by enemy knee mortar and rifle fire Private First Class Holt, although painfully wounded himself, assisted in the rescue of four wounded men who lay forward of the front lines. Later on the same day when communication with the Company Command Post was severed and his platoon was in dire need of supporting weapons, Private First Class Holt concealed the fact that he was painfully wounded and volunteered to return to the command post to bring a section of machine guns forward. Despite hostile mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, he completed the trip and returned shortly to his platoon, where he continued to fight until again wounded and evacuated on the following day. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.