The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George R. Van Conkelberge (MCSN: 492310), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 28 February 1945. With his squad ordered to aid another platoon pinned down at the base of a hill by hostile automatic fire that swept and dominated the area during his company’s assault on this vital strong point, Private First Class Van Conkelberge courageously moved fifty yards forward with his platoon to a position where his unit was pinned down with the result that no movement could be made forward and effective fire could not be brought to bear upon the enemy. Despite great danger, he voluntarily worked his way slowly forward approximately fifty yards through intense enemy rifle and automatic fire to a position from which he could observe the two caves from which the enemy’s fire was directed and, boldly returning to his squad, stealthily moved his machine gun forward to this same spot. Firing point plank into one of the caves, Private First Class Van Conkelberge succeeded in silencing the hostile weapon before heavy Japanese rifle fire wounded him. By his cool and heroic actions, he aided greatly in enabling his company to continue its attack. His indomitable fighting spirit and determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.