The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Wilbur D. McLean (MCSN: 973314), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of an Engineer Demolition Squad of Company C, First Engineer Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 15 May 1945. Engaged in assisting a Marine infantry company in an assault on hostile forces heavily armed with automatic weapons and strongly entrenched on commanding ground, Private McLean ran forward to place a demolition charge in a cave from which enemy fire was holding up the company’s advance. When the enemy pinned him down, he remained steadfast for about thirty minutes until members of his squad covered the vicinity with smoke. Then, declining the opportunity to withdraw from his precarious position, he boldly ran up and placed a charge in the mouth of the cave. By his courage and determination in the face of grave hazards, Private McLean succeeded in silencing the enemy fire, thereby enabling the company to continue its advance. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.