The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Roger J. Delisle (MCSN: 281321), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as member of an 81-mm. Mortar Platoon of Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 5 March 1945. Discovering the location of a high velocity enemy fieldpiece which was inflicting heavy casualties on the battalion command post, aid station and dump, in addition to menacing a nearby road junction, Sergeant Delisle skillfully directed the fire of his mortars against the powerful weapon and, by personally checking the firing data of his guns and then racing to a nearby knoll to observe the fall of shells, constantly adjusted his fire until his shells were hitting the target. Disregarding the furious counterbattery of the Japanese, he continued to encourage his men and insure a rapid supply of ammunition until, by his outstanding technical ability and dauntless leadership, he had succeeded in laying the fire of his mortars directly on the gun, killing the crew and destroying the weapon. Instantly killed by a bursting shell while setting up new positions, Sergeant Delisle had contributed essentially to the effectiveness of his company’s operations in this area and his conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.