Jesse Thurmond Betts

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jesse T. Betts (MCSN: 311467), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. When enemy snipers caused several casualties and held up the advance of the Platoon, Corporal Betts voluntarily exposed himself to draw hostile fire in order to discover the position of the snipers. Rapidly locating them, he annihilated three of the enemy and, although wounded, enabled his platoon to reduce the Japanese strong point without further casualties. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.