The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edward F. McKelligett (MCSN: 804326), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 6 March 1945. When his squad was held up by an enemy machine gun emplaced inside a cave, Private First Class McKelligett crawled to a position near the mouth of the cave and, although constantly exposed to hostile fire, set off a demolition charge which killed the occupants of the cave and allowed his squad to advance. Although wounded during the performance of his act as well as on two previous occasions, Private First Class McKelligett returned to duty each time. His resourcefulness, courage and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.