The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Elbert L. Corser (MCSN: 0-19132), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Artillery Liaison Officer of the First Battalion, Thirteenth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 19 to 22 February 1945. When his Regiment crossed the southern end of Motoyama Airfield Number One and began digging in for the night, First Lieutenant Corser made repeated trips across the airstrip to the beach in the face of intense enemy fire to obtain information concerning the time that supporting artillery would land. Again during the night of 19-20 February, he crossed the fire swept airstrip when all communications between the Regimental Command Post and the supporting artillery Battalion were disrupted by the enemy and reaching the artillery positions despite friendly and hostile fire, relayed the necessary information subsequently returning over the same fire swept area. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.