The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Emmett R. Crenshaw (MCSN: 830182), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a member of a Rifle Squad of Company D, Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 1 March 1945. When hostile machine gun and rifle fire pinned down his platoon leader, Private First Class Crenshaw courageously risked his life in order to move back to get much needed help. Locating a platoon of tanks operating in a nearby area, he led them up to his platoon and boldly exposed himself to enemy fire to observe and direct the fire of the tanks on the hostile positions. Although he was drawing enemy fire against his person, he continued to direct the fire of the tanks until his platoon was able to move to a more favorable position. By his bold initiative and indomitable courage he was responsible for saving many of his comrades’ lives and his unselfish devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.