The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Homer C. McIntire (MCSN: 500288), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of Company C, Third Engineer Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 14 March 1945. Although badly bruised by the detonation of an enemy Naval gun magazine, Corporal McIntire unhesitatingly advanced to within ten feet of the mouth of an ammunition tunnel and, with his automatic rifle, killed the two armed enemy soldiers within. Remaining in his exposed position, he continued firing bursts farther back into the tunnel. When the powder from the magazine ignited and quickly enveloped him, he succeeded in diving out of the crater and over a near-by cliff, but in doing so lost his rifle. Then, deep in enemy territory, with the flames raging and the magazine in danger of exploding at any moment, he courageously climbed back to within a few yards of the burning crater to retrieve his lost weapon, the only one in the group. Thereafter, he covered the rear as he and his comrades returned to their own lines. His inspiring leadership and fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.