The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Ollie J. Melton (MCSN: 820898), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 March 1945. Waging an attack with his company against a stubborn pocket of Japanese resistance deeply entrenched on the commanding ground and fortified by heavily armed pillboxes and caves, Corporal Melton Voluntarily took over a rocket launcher when its operator fell under the enemy’s furious barrage and, fearlessly braving intense machine-gun fire, advanced to an extremely vulnerable position with complete disregard for his own safety, fired three rockets upon the hostile emplacement and completely destroyed it before he was mortally wounded by fire from a neighboring enemy machine gun. His indomitable fighting spirit and outstanding courage were at all times an inspiration to his squad and reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Melton and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.