The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Joseph E. McGarvey (MCSN: 238541), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Leader of a Rifle Platoon of Company E, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 4 March 1945. Skillfully leading his platoon against an enemy-held ridge in the face of extremely heavy enemy machine-gun and mortar fire, Platoon Sergeant McGarvey kept his phone well forward with his assault squad and, by relaying information concerning his progress and enemy targets to his company command post, aided greatly in coordinating the company’s attack. Fearlessly exposing himself to constant and intense hostile fire, he moved to high ground in his platoon sector to determine the exact location of enemy large caliber mortars which were causing numerous casualties in his platoon. Severely wounded in the head and back when struck by mortar shell fragments while making his way toward his phone to report the locations of the enemy positions he pressed on to the company command post despite intense pain. Although weak from loss of blood, Platoon Sergeant McGarvey refused to be evacuated until he had pointed out three cleverly concealed hostile mortars in a distant ravine. His indomitable fighting spirit, daring initiative and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.