The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant James A. Ronayne (MCSN: 0-42033), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 March 1945. Lending his platoon, composed mainly of replacements, in an attack against a strongly fortified pocket of hostile resistance which had caused considerable trouble to unite previously occupying that sector, Second Lieutenant Ronayne led his unit to within ten or fifteen yards of the main trench system when the enemy unexpectedly began throwing hand grenades into the lines, causing disorganization of the assault squads. Despite the personal danger involved, he advanced beyond his front lines, climbed the parapet of the trench, ignited and threw into the emplacement a large demolition charge and took cover until it exploded. By his heroic action, he encouraged his platoon, immediately upon the detonation of the charge, to assault and capture the position, destroying approximately thirty of the enemy. His initiative, coolness under fire and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.