The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Field Music Ralph E. Phillips (MCSN: 410261), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an acting platoon leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 14 March 1945. When his platoon leader was killed by concentrated enemy machine gun fire, Corporal Phillips immediately assumed command and continued to fight his way over difficult and unfamiliar terrain in the face of determined attacks and intense fire from a well-concealed Japanese fortification. Despite heavy hostile machine gun and rifle fire, he brought the platoon to a defiladed position within fifty yards of the enemy strong point calling for flame throwers and rifle grenades in an attempt to rout the enemy and while still under hostile fire and observation left his platoon to seek a possible approach to the enemy position. Although struck down and painfully wounded by machine gun fire during this attempt he continued his reconnaissance and after returning to his platoon, attempted to renew the attack after giving the location of the Japanese, but collapsed and was evacuated because of his wounds. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.