The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Wilfred D. McCabe (MCSN: 415581), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of the Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. When his Section Leader became a casualty, Corporal McCabe braved intense enemy mortar, rifle and machine-gun fire to reorganize the section and lead them through heavy enemy opposition to new positions on the forward slope of a ridge. After emplacing his guns in the new positions, he kept his section in continuous action during determined efforts by the Japanese to break through the lines, repulsing the attack by killing thirty-four of the enemy, thereby preventing them from seizing the initiative against his company. His aggressive leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.