The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Tony Z. Lerma (MCSN: 828129), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-second Marines, Sixth Marine on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 June 1945. During this company’s attack on a hill well defended by entrenched enemy forces, Private First Class Lerma discovered four wounded comrades lying exposed to enemy fire from caves to the rear. While giving cover fire to a medical corpsman who was rendering aid to these casualties, he detected several of the enemy approaching and, retrieving an automatic rifle from one of the casualties, subjected the hostile force to accurate and intense fire, thus killing five Japanese. When again attacked from another direction by fifteen of the enemy, he bravely held his position, killing seven of the second attacking force. Thereafter, he remained at his position, giving cover fire to medical corpsmen and litter bearers until all the wounded had been treated and evacuated. By his aggressive fighting spirit and unselfish heroic service in combat, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.