The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George L. Carter (MCSN: 839480), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Regimental Weapons Company, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. When the ammunition dump of an 81-mm. mortar unit caught fire, endangering the lives of the men around the dump and causing a serious threat to near-by stacks of ammunition and equipment, Private First Class Carter left his covered position despite the exploding mortar ammunition in the area and, with three other volunteers, seized a shovel and began to throw sand on the flames. Hurled to the ground by the concussion of an ammunition burst, he quickly arose and continued in his efforts to extinguish the fire. By his initiative and cool action, he was instrumental in extinguishing the blaze without further loss of live and in saving the vehicles, guns and ammunition dump from destruction. His devotion to duty reflects the highest credit on Private First Class Carter and the United States Naval Service.