The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Carl O. J. Grussendorf (MCSN: 0-8735*), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. When his company was assaulting the heavily fortified and defended Hill 382 which had withstood the attacks of other units for three days, Captain Grussendorf skillfully utilized tanks, artillery, rockets and automatic weapons to enable his unit to advance more than four hundred yards in the face of intense enemy opposition and occupy this key terrain feature commanding a view of the northern portion of the island. With his company reduced to half its original strength during the period from 6 to 11 March, he again conducted a sustained assault over extremely difficult terrain, and enabled his unit to become the first to reach the sea, thereby securing the zone against fierce enemy opposition and counterattack. By his outstanding leadership and determination despite two wounds sustained during the course of the operation, he served as a genuine source of strength and inspiration to his men. His indomitable fighting spirit and devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.