The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Russell L. Whisenant (MCSN: 391895), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Driver of a Medium Tank of Company C, Fourth Tank Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 23 February 1945. Observing a hostile anti-tank gun firing at another friendly tank while he was supporting a rifle company during an attack, Corporal Whisenant skillfully maneuvered his vehicle into a position where it could fire at the enemy weapon. Although painfully wounded when his tank was hit several times and one shell had penetrated and set it on fire, he backed the flaming vehicle out of the gun’s line of fire thereby enabling the crew to evacuate safely. By his courage, coolness under fire and aggressive fighting spirit, Corporal Whisenant upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.