The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Carl C. Gabel (MCSN: 0-18084), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Quartermaster and Shore Party Commander of the Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. Landing with the advance elements of the Regimental Headquarters on 19 February, First Lieutenant Gabel found the supply and evacuation facilities of the Shore Party completely disrupted due to continuous enemy fire and, voluntarily assuming responsibility for the operation of the beach, initiated its immediate reorganization. Working for more than eighty-five hours without rest under conditions which made the entire beach practically untenable, he utilized inexperienced personnel and remnants of various units of the original Shore Party and conducted the numerous activities of the beach, thereby effecting adequate supply and efficient evacuation for his own Regiment and its attached units. Continuously exposed to hostile fire, he aided in saving the lives of many casualties and in providing all the vital supplies required for advancing the attack during its most critical stage. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.