The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Virgil D. Kimble (MCSN: 942099), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines (Reinforced), THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 10 March 1945. Bombarded by several enemy grenades thrown in the direction of his foxhole early on the morning of 10 March, Private Kimble boldly recovered three of the hostile weapons which fell in his midst and succeeded in throwing them all out of the foxhole before they exploded. When a fourth grenade landed in the foxhole and blew off his hand while he was attempting to throw it clear, he coolly accepted first-aid treatment from his two comrades whose lives he had saved and thereafter continued to assist in repelling the enemy. When he was evacuated the following morning, twenty-five of the enemy were found killed in the vicinity of his position. Private Kimble’s courageous and unselfish conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.