The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal James L. White (MCSN: 804202), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a squad leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 25 February 1945. Voluntarily assuming command when his Platoon Leader was wounded and the platoon disorganized by enemy fire, Corporal White skillfully reorganized the unit and boldly led it forward through intense hostile machine gun and mortar fire. Although seriously wounded he exposed himself repeatedly to intense enemy fire and moving among the elements of his platoon, gathered them together and directed their movement forward to the completion of their mission. During the course of the advance, Corporal White single-handedly assaulted and destroyed a hostile machine gun position by killing the crew of the gun with rifle fire. By his tactical skill and courage he contributed greatly to the seizure of the objective. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.