The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Vinton L. Spencer (MCSN: 857204), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of a Mortar Platoon of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. When only four men remained in the entire mortar section shortly after the initial assault on Iwo Jima, the rest having been wounded or killed, Corporal Spencer courageously assumed command, effectively directing the evacuation of the wounded, organizing the three remaining men and salvaging three mortars and forty rounds of ammunition. Then, despite intense enemy fire, he and his comrades carried the mortars and ammunition five hundred yards forward until contact had been regained with his company. Within a few moments he had directed them into position and, although only one sight was available for all three mortars, delivered effective fire in support of the attack. His cool courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.