The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Dominic Ranieri (MCSN: 492009), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 2 March 1945. When his platoon was forced to withdraw and set up a defensive position one hundred fifty yards to the rear, Private Ranieri courageously remained in a shellhole with a wounded comrade who could not be evacuated. Isolated between friendly and enemy lines and constantly harassed by heavy enemy machine-gun fire as well as by snipers attempting to creep within hand-grenade range, he exposed himself to the severe fire and killed five of the advancing enemy. Remaining in this perilous position for a period of ten hours, he finally succeeded in bringing his wounded comrade back to our lines under cover of darkness. His coolness under fire and unselfish devotion to the welfare of a comrade were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.