The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James E. Walker (MCSN: 316532), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 6 March 1945. Held up with his platoon by a terrific concentration of hostile mortar and sniper fire during an aggressive close in action, Private First Class Walker waged furious combat against the enemy firmly entrenched in a series of rocky crags and caves and, fighting furiously despite the overwhelming odds, moved up with another Marine on a cave position which had been inflicting heavy casualties on his platoon. Suddenly struck by a vicious burst of fire which also felled his comrade, he staunchly braved the continuing barrage to carry the wounded man back to a place of comparative safety. Then refusing first aid treatment, he worked his way forward to the enemy position a second time, stage a valiant single-handed attack with rifle and grenades and succeeded in destroying the occupying troops. By his bold courage and gallant fighting spirit, Private First Class Walker contributed materially to his platoon’s advance at a critical time and to the destruction of Japanese resistance in that area, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.