The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Raymond W. Ickes (MCSN: 0-35231), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 25 February to 7 March 1945. During an attack on an enemy-held airfield, Second Lieutenant Ickes led his platoon as the left assault unit of the Battalion but, during the first hour of the action, made only small gains against heavily-defended Japanese positions from which intense small-arms fire was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. When the remainder of his platoon began to retire in great disorder under an extremely heavy mortar and artillery barrage, he bravely made his way through the murderous barrage to each man and ordered him to return to his position. Then, having reorganized his platoon, he continued to face the hostile fire and, moving from man to man, directed their fire against the enemy. His aggressive fighting spirit, courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.