The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Billy D. Bowman (MCSN: 320746), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 March 1945. Moving into the assault with his squad, Corporal Bowman deliberately exposed himself to hostile sniper fire in an effort to locate the enemy concealed in caves and spider traps and, aiding his men in the annihilation of the Japanese, contributed materially to the success of the attack. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Bowman and the United States Naval Service.