The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Irving R. Williams (MCSN: 446246), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a machine gun squad leader serving in a platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 19 February 1945. Quickly detecting a strategic enemy position seventy-five yards to the front which was directing heavy machine gun fire upon his platoon during the initial landing, Corporal Williams directed his squad to set up their gun for delivering effective fire upon the hostile emplacement. Hit b shrapnel from a mortar shell, he refused to be evacuated, valiantly remaining at his post until a second shell killed or wounded every man of his squad. Undaunted by the intensive enemy fire, he personally took over the gun, directing a barrage of devastating fire upon the hostile position until the Japanese were silenced. Although mortally wounded during this heroic action Corporal Williams, by his courageous and resolute fighting spirit, had been instrumental in furthering his company’s advance, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.