The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Raymond Siesicki (MCSN: 432193), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Section Leader in a Machine Gun Platoon of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 28 February 1945. When shell fragments from heavy mortar fire wounded all the gunners of a supporting machine gun located on high ground under hostile observation, Sergeant Siesicki left his covered position behind a ridge and went forward to continue the firing of the machine gun himself. Although wounded while manning the gun in the face of continuous intense fire, he remained at his post laying down accurate fire in support of his rifle platoon. Only after the platoon had reached its objective and there was no immediate need for supporting fire did he accept first aid and evacuation. By his initiative and skill, he contributed materially to the success of the platoon in completing its mission, and his courageous devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon Sergeant Siesicki and the United States Naval Service.