The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Henry W. Lacinak (MCSN: 335123), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. Advancing to place a demolition charge in an enemy emplacement which had been inflicting heavy casualties on his company, Corporal Lacinak proceeded through heavy hostile fire from the emplacement and, although wounded, continued his advance and placed the charge, thereby destroying the strong point. By his courageous efforts in neutralizing this Japanese position, Corporal Lacinak enabled his company to advance with light resistance, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.