The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Larry I. Peeples (MCSN: 337581), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander of an Armored Amphibian of the Second Armored Amphibian Battalion, Fleet Marine Forces in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 23 February 1945. With his amphibian lying in the water off the flank of our own infantry forces, Sergeant Peeples was ordered to bring fire to bear on the enemy. Discovering that the fire from water borne vehicle was ineffective due to the rough area, he voluntarily ordered the vehicle ashore behind the enemy lines and in the face of concentrated and intense hostile fire, coolly directed the fire of his tank in destroying two machine gun nests and in killing a number of Japanese. By his heroic actions he was able to make a reconnaissance of the enemy positions which were subsequently destroyed by a rocket barrage. His indomitable courage, initiative and aggressive spirit reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Peeples and the United States Naval Service.