The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Alfred F. Branaugh (MCSN: 910722), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Leader of a Machine Gun Squad with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 21 February 1945. Although painfully wounded during a fire fight resulting from a night infiltration by the enemy, Private First Class Branaugh steadfastly refused evacuation and remained with his machine gun. Courageously exposing himself to a barrage of hostile machine gun, rifle and grenade fire, he repeatedly moved his gun, the platoon’s sole supporting weapon, to alternate positions in order to confuse the enemy and render better support against their fierce attacks. Throughout the day, Private First Class Branaugh brought effective fire to bear on the Japanese, killing many of them and enabling his platoon to maintain its position. His heroism, initiative and determination in the face of great danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.