The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James. W. Branscome (MCSN: 536583), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman, serving with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 21 February 1945. When the advance of his company was held up by intense, accurate machine-gun and small-arms fire from higher ground, Private First Class Branscome crawled forward and detected a hostile emplacement fifty yards to the front, rushed it from the blind side, despite a hail of fire from adjacent strong points, and fired into its port, killing three of the enemy before he was mortally wounded by a fourth who emerged from the rear of the position while he was reloading his weapon. By his valiant initiative and bold fighting spirit, he succeeded in neutralizing the Japanese position and his utter disregard for his own personal safety reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Branscome and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.