The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Sidney Marks (MCSN: 844897), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Flame Thrower Operator of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. When the assault troops were unable to advance and were sustaining heavy casualties from intense enemy machine-gun fire from a well-constructed pillbox, Private First Class Marks voluntarily set out to destroy the Japanese position and, working his way close to the stronghold, coolly operated his flame thrower and destroyed it, thereby enabling his platoon to advance inland during a critical stage of the attack. Throughout the remainder of the operation, Private First Class Marks operated his flame thrower with daring and deadly efficiency, and his courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.