The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Fred J. Kendall (MCSN: 0-16042), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 9 March 1945. After his line had been held up for two days by strong, well entrenched hostile troops, Captain Kendall led his company through a withering hail of hostile automatic and small-arms fire in a jump attack which went well until, after moving a hundred yards, the right platoon was pinned down by a pocket of resistance containing over twenty Japanese. With complete disregard for his own safety, he personally took command of this platoon and led it in an assault against the enemy position in the face of a shattering barrage, aiding in killing twenty-two of the enemy and destroying four of their machine guns before he was himself struck down. By his courage and inspiring leadership, Captain Kendall enabled his battalion to continue the attack to its objective and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.