The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Fred F. Harbin (MCSN: 0-10724), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 28 February 1945. After his three rifle platoon leaders had been seriously wounded and evacuated, Captain Harbin ably reorganized his badly depleted company into an effective fighting unit and boldly led them forward in the face of intense hostile mortar and machine gun fire in an aggressive attack against an enemy strong point. Courageously exposing himself to the rain of enemy fire while directing the forward movement, he effectively employed his rifleman and support weapons to aid in neutralizing four large Japanese ammunition caves, four mutually supporting pill boxes and numerous infantry emplacements. In addition, he personally directed his forces in reducing a large caliber gun emplacement, thereby neutralizing the entire strong point to permit the battalion reserve company to move forward without opposition. His leadership, tactical skill and devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.