The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joe F. J. Tapscott (MCSN: 506208), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 February 1945. When his quad was confronted by two enemy pillboxes from which the Japanese immediately opened fire and stopped the advance of his company, Sergeant Tapscott quickly estimated the situation from an exposed position and, after placing his quad in position to deliver protecting fire advanced on one of the pillboxes. Closing with the enemy within the emplacement, he killed all four of the occupants, thereby removing a considerable threat to his company and allowing it to continue the attack. Although seriously wounded while attacking another pillbox, he refused to be evacuated until his squad was reorganized and ready to continue the attack. By his outstanding courage and initiative, Sergeant Tapscott served as a source of inspiration to his men and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.