The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Joseph B. Kessel (MCSN: 0-18433), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Staff Liaison Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 7 March 1945. Assuming command of a company after all the officers and nearly all the senior non-commissioned officers had been killed or wounded on the afternoon of 6 March, First Lieutenant Kessel personally consolidated the company’s defensive position for the night in the face of intense enemy small-arms fire. When the advance of his company was stopped during a coordinated attack on a hostile strong point the following morning, he courageously exposed himself to the Japanese small-arms fire to direct the fire of his own artillery on enemy guns which were impeding the forward movements of his company as well as menacing the main supply route to the rear. His leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.