The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private William E. Nelson (MCSN: 560428), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Squad Leader with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during operations against Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 1 March 1945. When his company’s advance was stopped by savage machine-gun fire from two hostile pillboxes in the front, Private Nelson boldly moved forward across open terrain toward the fiercely defended enemy emplacements, successfully destroying the first with hand grenades. Having expended all his ammunition, he collected Japanese hand grenades and proceeded with unrelenting determination to demolish the second pillbox. Fatally wounded under the vicious enemy fire, Private Nelson by his extreme courage had destroyed two pillboxes and seven of the enemy, enabling his company to advance and reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.