The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Norman R. Felton (MCSN: 912597), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on March 15, 1945. Although he had been wounded by hostile fire, Private First Class Felton refused to be evacuated and, remaining with his squad, prepared to hold his extremely vulnerable position against enemy attack. When a Japanese soldier approached to make overtures of surrender during the night, Private First Class Felton immediately suspected treachery and alerted his squad just as the soldier dropped to the ground and a large group of the enemy charged the position. Engaging in hand-to-hand combat, he killed the Officer-in-Charge of the attackers and several other Japanese, leading his squad in holding a vital position and in killing fifteen of the enemy. His presence of mind, fearless leadership and great personal courage inspired those with whom he served and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.