The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Nathaniel F. Mann, Jr. (MCSN: 0-39194), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 14 March 1945. During a concentrated heavy enemy mortar barrage which seriously reduced his platoon, Second Lieutenant Mann walked calmly from man to man in the face of deadly shrapnel to lend personal encouragement to the shocked remaining members of his unit to keep their positions. After the barrage had lifted, he led a platoon of reinforcements into position despite accurate sniper fire and, when the Japanese continuing to inflict severe casualties on his platoon, voluntarily worked his way across a draw under enemy observation to gain contact with the unit on his left. That night, he aided in closing a dangerous gap in the front line by leading two more platoons into position across the sniper infested draw. His professional ability, courage and devotion to were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.