The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Melvin C. F. Lavine (MCSN: 419825), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Group Leader of Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 28 February 1945. During an assault on a strongly-defended hill, Private First Class Levine braved intense hostile machine-gun fire and hand grenades to destroy a well-fortified enemy emplacement with only a rifle and hand grenades, killing the enemy therein and permitting his company to continue its advance. Upon completion of his mission, he returned to his fire group and organized it into an anti-sniper patrol. His initiative, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.