The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Field Cook Reynold G. Baines (MCSN: 285372), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on the night of 15 March 1945. When his company command post was surrounded by a large enemy force, Field Cook Baines personally directed the ensuing fire fight, dispersed the enemy and, tossing out an enemy hand grenade that had fallen among a group of his comrades, saved four Marines from possible serious injury. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.