The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Ernest T. Bean (MCSN: 266217), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 7 March 1945. When his Platoon Leader became a casualty during a heavy fire fight, Platoon Sergeant Bean unhesitatingly assumed command of the platoon and continued the attack on a strongly defended enemy position. During the course of the attack, the hostile position was blown up, causing many casualties to his unit and knocking Platoon Sergeant Bean unconscious. Regaining consciousness, he immediately began reorganizing his platoon and supervising the work on casualties and, rallying the remaining eight uninjured men, pressed the attack forward and prevented the enemy from firing into the area where the wounded were being treated and evacuated. He continued to attack with his few remaining men until he had joined forces with the unit on his left. His aggressive leadership and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.