The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Aaron F. Watson (MCSN: 386929), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Group Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division I action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 20 February 1945. With his platoon pinned down by intense Japanese machine gun fire from the front and temporarily out of contact with other elements of the company, Corporal Watson volunteered to go thirty yards forward of his platoon in an effort to silence the enemy weapon holding up the advance. Proceeding alone under intense fire which pierced his pack at least once, he attacked and destroyed the hostile gun position with hand grenades, killing at least six of the enemy. By his courage and devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the success of the attack and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.