The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Eric G. Sandstrom (MCSN: 370948), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima Volcano Islands, 24 February 1945. After his platoon leader was killed, Sergeant Sandstrom assumed commend of the platoon and, reorganized his men, directed an attack on the enemy-held airfield, In the face of intense machine-gun fire and hand grenades, he led the platoon against the strongly fortified positions, constantly exposing himself to designate objectives, direct fire and throw back enemy grenades before they exploded. By his courage and devotion to duty, he contributed directly to the success of the attack and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.