The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Benjamin E. Carson (MCSN: 815236), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 15 March 1945. When accurate rifle fire from a hostile bunker halted his squad’s advance, Private Carson voluntarily moved out in the face of heavy fire to charge the bunker and, firing his automatic rifle, killed six Japanese and neutralized the position, thereby enabling his unit to renew the attack. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.