Lawrence J. Zetter’s Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LAWRENCE J. ZETTER,

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Ammunition Carrier in a Machine Gun Squad of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February Pinned down with his squad in a shell hole on the front line when orders were received to deliver covering machine-gun fire for demolition men preparing to move out and assault an enemy position, Private First Class Zetter courageously took charge of a machine gun and moved the heavy weapon up to the edge of the hostile machine-gun and rifle barrages and aided in covering the advance of the demolition men, staunchly maintaining the uninterrupted stream of fire without assistance when his teammates became casualties, and continued to deliver a furious barrage until he fell at his post, mortally wounded. His outstanding devotion to duty and dauntless valor throughout reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Zetter and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

For the President,
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy.