The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Sam C. Theis, Jr. (MCSN: 506392), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Team Leader of Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 7 March 1945. When an enemy machine gun and its supporting rifleman pinned down his platoon with heavy and accurate rifle fire, Private First Class Theis voluntarily moved out into the open without any direct support. Braving the intense machine gun fire, he single-handedly attacked the Japanese machine gun nest with hand grenades and rifle fire destroying it completely and allowing his platoon to continue in the attack. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.