The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Willis K. Mollett (MCSN: 0-36494), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Platoon Leader of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. After several methods of attack had failed to eliminate two enemy machine guns where heavy fire was holding up his company’s advance, Second Lieutenant Mollett directed a frontal assault despite the enemy’s advantage of terrain and position and the fatigued condition of his men, led them in a successful attack to overrun positions and annihilate the occupants. By his aggressive leadership and courageous fighting spirit, he was greatly responsible for obtaining control of the most favorable terrain in the area, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.