The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ralph P. Munyon (MCSN: 957086), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 9 March 1945. Volunteering with a companion to go to the aid of two Marines who had been seriously wounded by the explosion of an enemy land mine, Private First Class Munyon and his comrade dashed across one hundred and fifty yards of open terrain and, in the face of heavy hostile machine-gun and rifle fire, brought one of the injured men back to the safety of the lines. By his quick and unselfish action, Private First Class Munyon contributed materially in saving the life of a seriously wounded man, and his courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.