The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Billy Edward Hodgin (MCSN: 471350), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Leader in a platoon of Company G, Fifth Engineer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division during action on enemy Japanese held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 19 February to 20 March 1945. During this phase of the operation, Corporal Hodgin was a source of constant inspiration to his men and on 20 March, when one platoon of the company was unable to advance due to heavy enemy rifle fire from spider traps, he armed himself with demolition charges and, disregarding hostile grenades and rifle fire, crawled to a position from which he neutralized four spider traps, thereby allowing the platoon to advance. Continuing his demolition work until seriously wounded Corporal Hodgin by his initiative and self-sacrificing devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.