Homer Marion Neelley, Jr.

2nd Lieutenant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 44532
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Homer M. Neelley, Jr. (MCSN: 866749), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 13 March 1945.
Braving hand grenades thrown from defiladed hostile positions, Corporal Neelley led his squad to within fifteen yards of an enemy six-inch gun during his company's attack on a Japanese strong point. Firing a rocket launcher at enemy positions with unsuccessful results, he crawled fifty yards to a friendly tank in the rear and, courageously guiding the vehicle to a commanding ridge in the face of heavy hostile fire, directed the fire of the tank on the targets by means of rifle bursts.
By his courageous initiative and determination, he contributed materially to the destruction of the Japanese placement and enabled his squad to advance. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.