The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Espin A. French (MCSN: 463466), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company B, Third Engineer Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, the morning of 2 March 1945. Undaunted by a heavy concentration of enemy mortar fire blanketing the area, Corporal French, although wounded the previous day by enemy shell fragments, unhesitatingly joined a party assigned the mission of carrying ammunition and weapons to an infantry company isolated on the high ground north of Motoyann Airfield Number Three. As his group advanced in the face of a terrific mortar barrage, Corporal French fearlessly exposed himself to the rain of enemy shells bursting on all sides and proceeded to the assistance of two wounded Marines who were unable to walk. Then, quickly ascertaining that all casualties were in covered positions, he again moved out under fire to obtain stretchers and to assist in taking out the wounded. With the casualties evacuated, he returned and led a second ammunition and weapons party through the danger area, thereby completing the vital carrying mission. By his courage, initiative and devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Corporal French contributed to the safety of his comrades and to the expedient reinforcement of the besieged company during a critical phase of the battle. His conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.