The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Robert L. Klotz, Jr. (MCSN: 0-19051), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Demolitions Officer of the Fifth Engineer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 11 March 1945. When a Marine infantry and tank battalion was halted in its advance by an enemy mine field, Captain Klotz unhesitatingly assumed command of several engineer mine squads and, despite intense close-range hostile fire, succeeded in clearing a passage through the field without a single casualty to our forces, thereby enabling the tanks to move forward and destroy numerous Japanese positions and the infantry to advance. Captain Klotz’s initiative, leadership and courage upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.