The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William C. O’Donnell (MCSN: 0-29904), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to Headquarters and Service Company, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 15 March 1945. Placed in command of a platoon of a provisional company and assigned to fill a dangerous gap in the regimental lines, Second Lieutenant O’Donnell located the position during darkness, established contact with the adjacent battalion and deployed his platoon on the rough terrain under intense enemy rifle and machine-gun fire. When his positions were immediately attacked by hostile forces and subjected to fierce grenade and rifle fire, he moved from place to place leading his unit in repelling the violent attacks and holding the important position. His indomitable fighting spirit, courageous leadership and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.