The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Rudolph C. Cordova (MCSN: 482097), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company D, Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 23 March 1945. With his squad front facing a nest of spider traps protecting an enemy cave on 22 March, Corporal Cordova led a charge against the hostile position and although wounded during the assault, refused to be evacuated and aided in the annihilation of a number of the Japanese. Wounded twice during the operation he remained in action throughout and contributed materially to the success of our fences on the Island. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Cordova and the United States Naval Service.