Dennis Ray Jackson

Corporal, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 54920
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Dennis R. Jackson (MCSN: 314259), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Assistant Automatic Rifleman in a Squad of Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 14 and 15 March 1945.
Assuming command after his Squad Leader was wounded, Private First Class Jackson courageously led his men forward in an attack against a pillbox infested area and, braving intense hostile machine-gun and hand-grenade fire, boldly moved from foxhole to foxhole, pointing out targets to his men and encouraging them on.
During the furious two day encounter, he personally inflicted about twenty casualties on the enemy with his rifle, and, on 15 March, despite heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire, directed a tank forward to a position from which effective fire could be delivered against hostile pillboxes.
Although still under heavy fire, Private First Class Jackson stood up and fired his rifle at the cleverly concealed emplacements in order to point them out to the tank, thereby aiding materially in destroying four pillboxes and killing fifteen Japanese. His initiative and aggressive fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.