The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant John J. Schloegel (MCSN: 246291), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Machine Gun Platoon leader, serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, on 28 February 1945. When a number of wounded men were left in a draw by an adjacent company, Gunnery Sergeant Schloegel organized the remaining men of two rifle squads into a rescue party, led them to the draw and, arming himself with an abandoned automatic rifle, entered the draw alone in the face of withering enemy knee-mortar and sniper fire to reconnoiter for a tactically sound route of withdrawal. Although mortally wounded during his return, he managed to reach his squad and, refusing evacuation and fighting delirium, explained before he died the route he had chosen for the withdrawal of the wounded Marines. His valiant spirit and indomitable courage reflect the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant Schloegel and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.