The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Archer Vandegrift, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5213), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 to 24 February 1945. When his Battalion was halted by heavy hostile mortar and small-arms fire during the Regiment’s attack against the enemy’s main line of defense, Lieutenant Colonel Vandergrift unhesitatingly moved into the front lines and braved the intense fire to shout words of encouragement to his men. Later, he skillfully maneuvered his reserve company into a dangerous gap which had developed on the right flank, and thus prevented Japanese infiltration of our lines at a critical time. While he was directing the attack of his Battalion, he was painfully wounded and evacuated. By his able leadership, fortitude and aggressive fighting spirit, Lieutenant Colonel Vandegrift upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.