The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Eugene A. Castaneda (MCSN: 415377), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a Platoon of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 11 March 1945. When his Platoon Leader became a casualty, Corporal Castaneda immediately took command of the platoon and reorganized it in the face of strong enemy resistance. Despite a serious stomach wound, he continued to effect a tying-in of the lines for night defense before he would permit himself to be evacuated. His exemplary courage, skillful leadership and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.