The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Raymond F. Glading (MCSN: 344894), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with a Company of the First Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 14 March 1945. When his company was forced to withdraw temporarily from intense fire during an assault against heavily fortified installations on a ridge to its front, Private First Class Glading observed a seriously wounded Marine unable to move. Boldly leaving his position, he crept forward to the front line in the face of heavy automatic fire until he reached the wounded man. After cutting the rifle free from his comrade’s back, he quickly threw four or five grenades which silenced a Japanese machine gun emplacement and, during the enemy’s momentary confusion, began dragging the wounded man toward friendly lines. When he had carried the casualty as far as he could, Private First Class Glading stealthily crawled away and fearlessly exposed himself to draw enemy fire on himself, thereby enabling others to move the wounded man to safety. He then aided in rendering first aid and in procuring a litter team before returning to his gun. By his courageous initiative and unselfish concern for the life of another, Private First Class Glading upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.