The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant John Mann (MCSN: 445114), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 28 February 1945. Participating in an attack against a strong enemy force entrenched along a heavily-defended airfield, Sergeant Mann skillfully led his squad before key enemy bunkers and, in the face of intense hostile fire, advanced to within a few yards of an enemy 20-mm. gun revetment. After throwing a barrage of smoke and fragmentation grenades to rout the enemy within, he boldly charged the positions unassisted and single-handedly killed four Japanese with his carbine and a fifth in hand-to-hand combat. His aggressive fighting spirit and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.