The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William J. Parrie (MCSN: 412115), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as squad leader in a platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 27 February 1945. Seeing a wounded man lying approximately fifty yards forward of our own lines during an assault on an enemy held ridge, Corporal Parrie immediately proceeded to crawl toward him and although painfully wounded on the way, succeeded in reaching his wounded companion and in dragging him to a position of comparative safety. Then, resolutely disregarding his own wounds he remained with his squad and continued to direct its advance until subsequently ordered to retire for medical attention. His unselfish regard for the welfare of another was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.