The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Harry E. McKelvey (MCSN: 860009), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader in a Rifle Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 4 April 1945. When his company, which had been separated from the main body of our troops at night, was attacked in force, Corporal McKelvey observed a group of the enemy attempting to outflank friendly positions. Acting on his own initiative and displaying exceptional leadership, he maneuvered his squad into position to meet the attempted envelopment and, personally occupying a vantage point which was under heavy enemy fire, directed the fire of his own unit so effectively that thirty-six of the enemy were killed and the remainder were forced to retreat. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.