J. P. Sloan, Jr.

Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 32308 (July 12, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jasper P. Sloan, Jr. (MCSN: 438692), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Squad Leader while serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 26 February 1945.
Personally making a tactical reconnaissance of the area when his platoon was held up by a devastating rain of hostile sniper and machine-gun fire, Sergeant Sloan immediately advanced his squad 75 yards forward of the line to a strategic position on higher ground where he initiated a daring attack against strongly fortified Japanese positions despite the lack of flanking support. Repeatedly exposing himself to the merciless slash of enemy fire as he pointed out new targets and directed his men, he waged battle with unrelenting fury for more than two hours and succeeded in silencing several Japanese emplacements, thereby enabling the remainder of his besieged platoon and enabling it to move forward against materially reduced opposition.
Later on the same day, Sergeant Sloan twice braved heavy machine-gun fire to go to the aid of a wounded, delirious comrade and, while ministering to him on the second occasion was mortally struck down. His dauntless courage, cool decision and self-sacrificing devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.