The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Donald B. Davis (MCSN: 0-41805), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 28 February 1945. When the enemy continued with small-arms and mortar fire during an attack on a strongly-held key terrain feature and disorganized his company, Second Lieutenant Davis was ordered to take command of a front line platoon whose controlling personnel had become casualties. Despite fierce hostile fire and a painful wound, he advanced to his new location and, moving about his platoon’s position, replaced the squad leaders, group leaders and automatic riflemen who had been wounded. After rapidly reorganizing his unit, Second Lieutenant Davis personally emplaced a machine gun squad and several automatic riflemen in positions from which they were able to neutralize the enemy located in two well-concealed pillboxes confronting his platoon. Leading the assault, he participated in the destruction of these hostile posts. By his tactical skill and courageous leadership, he aided in restoring the company to an effective combat unit and contributed to the reduction of the Japanese positions. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.