The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Stephen John Gyles (MCSN: 394288), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Acting Sergeant of a Combat Patrol Squad of Headquarters and Service Company, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Island, on 16 March 1945. Assigned with his squad to wipe out a by-passed pocket of hostile resistance retarding the advance of friendly forces, Private First Class Gyles unhesitatingly placed himself at the head of his men and, courageously leading them to a position within fifteen yards of the strong point, prepared to launch an attack. Repeatedly exposing himself to blistering machine-gun, rifle and grenade fire emanating from a series of caves deeply entrenched in the rocky cliffs, he moved from place to place to locate the enemy and direct the fire of his squad, at the same time vigorously hurling his grenades into the emplacements and firing his automatic weapon at the Japanese as they emerged, personally accounting for eight of the enemy and three emplacements during the bitter fire fight. Fatally struck down by a sudden shell burst later that same day while attempting to neutralize a heavily fortified cave emplacement, Private First Class Gyles by his forceful leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and aggressive determination maintained in the face of tremendous odds, had served as an inspiration to his comrades and contributed materially to the sustained advance of our forces against the Japanese on Iwo. His selfless devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.