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1st Lt Nion Robert Tucker, Jr.
B/1/28th Marines
Wounded in action (fragment, abdomen) at Iwo Jima, February 19, 1945; died of wounds February 25, 1945
Other Comments:
Silver Star
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Nion R. Tucker, Jr. (MCSN: 0-25241), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands on 19 February 1945. Confronted by the enemy's solid coordinated system of defenses shortly after hitting the beach in the initial landing wave, First Lieutenant Tucker boldly led his unit in a frontal assault against strong fortifications delivering concentrated mortar, machine gun and artillery fire in the beach area and charging four pill boxes and an almost impregnable block house with fierce aggressiveness, succeeded in destroying all five of the enemy strong points as he advanced 300 yards across the beach. With his platoon reduced to one-third its original strength when he discovered that his company commander had become isolated with the remnants of another platoon and was lying seriously wounded under intense enemy fire approximately 400 yards to the left, he unhesitatingly led the remainder of his squad in a second assault, repeatedly exposing himself to the merciless blasts of deadly gun fire as he smashed through the surrounding pill boxes and reached the besieged group. Again risking his life to direct the last of his men into a position of comparative safety, he was fatally struck by a burst of shrapnel and collapsed where he stood. An able and inspiring leader, First Lieutenant Tucker by his daring tactics, cool decision and dauntless courage in the face of overwhelming odds aided materially in the reestablishment of his company. His valiant devotion to duty during this critical phase of the action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. Action Date: February 19, 1945
