The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Raymond A. Alexander (MCSN: 511633), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Demolition Specialist with an Engineer Platoon of the Fourth Engineer Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 21 February 1945. Volunteering to guide a platoon of tanks through intense hostile fire to the front lines, Corporal Alexander preceded the vehicles to uncover and disarm obstructing land mines in the designated path of advance. Remaining with the lead tank after it had taken up a firing position, he directed its fire on enemy gun emplacements and contributed materially to the neutralization of these positions. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.