The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Harvis O. McDonald (MCSN: 939468), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifleman, serving with Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 18 March 1945. When his squad and group leaders became casualties and his unit was pinned down by intense fire from a blockhouse to the front, Private First Class McDonald assumed command of the squad, made plans for withdrawal from the area and then, braving enemy fire, crawled up to an exposed position from which he threw hand grenades into the fire port of the blockhouse. He silenced the hostile emplacement while his squad moved to another area and remained in this exposed position until a demolition until arrived to dispose of the blockhouse. His courage, inspiring leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.