The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William O. Jarvis (MCSN: 0-31701), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Tank Platoon Leader of Company B, Fifth Tank Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 20 February 1945. When his tank was disabled by an enemy explosive, Second Lieutenant Jarvis dismounted from the vehicle in the face of intense enemy fire from close quarters and went on foot to obtain the aid of another tank to evacuate his crew. When a hostile infantryman made another attempt to place a satchel charge on his tank, he shot the man with his pistol. Then, in the midst of enemy troops, he calmly supervised the removal of the crew. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.