The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Leslie R. Selders (MCSN: 0-16259), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of the Second 37-mm. Platoon of Weapons Company, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 7 March 1945. When heavy fire from several well-concealed enemy emplacements held up the advance of the battalion to which he was attached, First Lieutenant Selders unhesitatingly volunteered to place one of his 37-mm. guns in a position to silence the enemy. Although the nature of the terrain made it necessary to disassemble the gun and transport the parts by hand over the rough terrain and up the face of a sheer cliff to a position from which fire could be brought to bear on the enemy. He efficiently directed the maneuver and supervised the reassembling and emplacing of the weapon in the firing position he had selected. Continuing to expose himself to heavy enemy sniper and mortar fire, First Lieutenant Selders directed the fire of the gun until the hostile emplacements were silenced and the battalion was able to resume its advance. By his initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and cool courage, he contributed immeasurably to the success of the battalion’s vital mission and his unselfish devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.