The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Russell A. Bruland (MCSN: 645910), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese force while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 9 May 1945. When his platoon was halted by heavy enemy fire during an advance across a valley, sustaining several casualties, Corporal Bruland twice traversed open ground swept by hostile fire to rescue and carry to safety two of the wounded men from his platoon, His outstanding courage, initiative, and inspiring devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.