The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Leonard J. S. T. Pecchia (MCSN: 476777), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as leader of a fire group of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 2 March 1945. During an attack by Private First Class Pecchia’s company against a strongly defended hostile ridge on which several dual purpose guns were emplaced, the leader of an adjacent fire group was wounded and fell on the enemy held side of the ridge. Quick to act although fully aware of the great danger involved, Private First Class Pecchia courageously went to the aid of his fallen comrade and succeeded in treating and evacuating him before he himself was wounded. His initiative and grave concern for the life of another were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.