The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles C. Cresap (MCSN: 0-20008), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Engineer Platoon Leader of Company A, Fifth Engineer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 9 March 1945. Directed to form a provisional company of component and attached units to relieve a company of another battalion on a pinned down flank, First Lieutenant Cresap led his group through the darkness to the front lines under enemy fire and effecting the relief of the pinned down company established contact with adjacent units. Throughout a long night on a rocky ridge he led his men in a series of hand grenade battles and close in fighting and, by his courageous leadership, enabled his company to repulse repeated attempts by the Japanese to infiltrate through his thinly held lines. His initiative, determination and unwavering devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.