The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles E. Heath (MCSN: 355477), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 10 March 1945. When three large caliber enemy coast defense guns opened fire on friendly positions on an airfield and rear command areas late in the evening, Private First Class Heath directed fire on these hostile positions, having previously assumed command of the company mortar section when the officer and non-commissioned officers had become casualties. Through his accurate observation and orders from forward exposed vantage point, he was able to bring mortar fire into the open gun pits, inflicting casualties on the enemy gun crews firing the exposed powder and ammunition and putting the guns out of action. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.