The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Wayland L. Weyand (MCSN: 0-25250), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of a Rifle Platoon attached to Company I, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 21 to 28 February 1945. Bravely fighting his way across heavily fortified Motoyama Airfield Number Two on 24 February, First Lieutenant Weyand gallantly led his men through devastating machine gun, mortar and artillery fire in a sustained bitterly fought advance forward and despite the overwhelming odds, succeeded in destroying seven entrenchments and capturing this vital airstrip after repeated fierce hand to hand encounters with the fanatic Japanese. Although fatally wounded by a shell fragment when the enemy delivered heavy artillery and mortar concentrations on our positions later that night, followed by a vicious counter attack on the left flank of his company, he promptly rallied his men and personally directing his reserve squad to the critical flank, boldly engaged the enemy in a terrific hand grenade fight to restore the line and account for many Japanese dead. Subsequently succumbing to his wounds, First Lieutenant Weyand, by his forceful and determined leadership, valiant fighting spirit and great personal valor maintained in the face of extreme peril had contributed to the saving of many lives and to the success of our sustained drive against the enemy on Iwo. His self-sacrificing devotion to duty throughout this and other engagements reflects the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Weyand and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.