The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edward J. Tarnowski (MCSN: 900134), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Driver of a Prime Mover of a 37-mm Gun Platoon of Regimental Weapons Company, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. When a landing craft laden with casualties was struck by enemy artillery shells and sunk while restricting from the landing beach and the heavy surf began to carry the helpless survivors out to sea, Private First Class Tarnowski witnessed several futile attempts to rescue one wounded Marine and despite the intense enemy mortar and artillery fire falling in the area, unhesitatingly swam out through the heavy surf and brought the wounded man to safety on the beach. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.