The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Denver M. Thomas (MCSN: 913200), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company C, Fifth Engineer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 16 to 23 March 1945. Assigned the mission of dozing a road for the tanks ahead of the front lines when the infantry was pinned down and tanks were unable to advance on 16 March Corporal Thomas drove his lightly armored tractor over terrain which was intercrossed with ravines containing numerous concealed, mutually supporting enemy positions and succeeded in constructing the road to within thirty feet of known enemy positions. When it became necessary to send tanks ahead of the front lines on another flank later that day he again dozed a road beyond friendly troops within close range of the enemy and by enabling tanks to close with the Japanese and fire their mission, assisted the infantry in its advance. His initiative, cool courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.