The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William A. Malizewski (MCSN: 450157), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifleman with the Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, on 24 February 1945. Severely wounded during the advance across Motoyama Airfield Number Two, Private First Class Malizewski was under treatment by a medical corpsman when he observed an automatic rifleman struck down and instantly killed while rendering effective support to the advance of his platoon. Fearlessly disregarding the tremendous volume of enemy fire blanketing the area, he immediately ran to his fallen comrade’s position , took over his rifle and continued to provide urgently needed supporting fire for the desperately fighting, relentlessly advancing platoon. Resolute and determined, he maintained a steady stream of deadly bullets and succeeded in killing the crew of an enemy machine-gun, thereby neutralizing the heavy weapon before he himself fell mortally wounded by a vicious burst of fire from another hostile machine gun. Stouthearted and courageous, Private First Class Malizewski rendered heroic service during the critical phase of the bitter conflict and his prompt initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and great personal valor in the face of savage opposition upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.