The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Ronald R. Caplinger (MCSN: 514315), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader in a Platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 28 February 1945. With his platoon pinned down by heavy hostile small-arms and machine-gun fire, and with his Platoon Leader absent on reconnaissance, Corporal Caplinger assumed command and led his men from the draw in which they were trapped. Upon reaching a safe area, he checked the platoon and found that some members were missing and, immediately making two additional trips into the draw, attempted to evacuate the remaining members. On the third attempt, he led a portion of an adjacent unit into the area and, succeeding in establishing contact with the trapped men, opened the way for their successful withdrawal. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Caplinger and the United States Naval Service.