The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Donald H. O’Rourke, Jr. (MCSN: 0-10793), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 25 February 1945. With his company pinned down by enemy fire and seriously reduced in strength, Captain O’Rourke unhesitatingly went forward to the front lines and, although he was forced to crawl through machine-gun fire, reached a position from which he could reconnoiter, estimate the situation and evolve a plan of relief. On his return through the deadly hostile fire, he was wounded but refused to be evacuated until he could familiarize one of his officers with the plan. By his prompt actions and courage, Captain O’Rourke was responsible for extricating his company from its perilous position, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.