The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Loren W. Plummer, Jr. (MCSN: 815628), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as machine gun squad leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 24 March 1945. When the company advance was halted by fire from enemy emplacements, Corporal Plummer set up his weapon on elevated open terrain where a short time earlier, one machine gun had been demolished by deadly fire from concealed Japanese snipers. For two hours he delivered supporting fire for the advancing troops. Although the target for constant accurate hostile fire, Corporal Plummer, kept his gun in action and by neutralizing the enemy fire, insured his company’s advance against light resistance. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.