The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Daniel A. Zawierucha (MCSN: 922151), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 15 March 1945. When his platoon’s advance was held up by devastating hostile machine-gun fire from a position which dominated the open terrain to his front, Private First Class Zawierucha courageously rushed forward of the lines for a distance of twenty-five yards and, despite the continuing enemy fire falling in the area, hurled several well-laced grenades into the emplacement, killing the occupants and silencing the machine gun. By his quick and heroic action, he enabled his platoon to continue the attack with a minimum of casualties. His initiative and aggressive fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Service.