The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Kristopher D. Kane, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Squad Automatic Weapon Gunner, Second Platoon, Company C, Battalion Landing Team, First Battalion, Third Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 10 November 2004. During Operation AL FAJR, insurgent forces engaged a squad from Second Platoon as they moved up the stairs of a house. Responding to a call for assistance, Corporal Kane entered the building amidst a hail of enemy armor piercing rounds fired at him through the ceiling and dodged hand grenades that were tossed down the stairs. When he observed wounded Marines trapped in the enemy line of fire, Corporal Kane immediately positioned himself to provide covering fire for the Marines attempting to pull the wounded to safety all the while remaining dangerously exposed to the enemy’s impact zone. He repeatedly thwarted insurgent attempts to fire their machine guns down the stairs at the fellow Marines with accurate and deadly fire from his Squad Automatic Weapon. He held his ground, in the direct line of enemy fire, even as a D-9 armored bulldozer punched a hole in an adjacent wall and the building began collapsing around him. As the last of the wounded were being evacuated, portions of the building fell on top of him, crushing his leg. His heroic actions and selfless devotion inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the evacuation of Marines needing urgent medical care, and in the destruction of an enemy stronghold. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Kane reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.