The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Philip M. Whitney (MCSN: 556388), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a group leader of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 15 March 1945. Observing that his platoon was unable to advance and was suffering heavy casualties due to intense hostile machine gun fire coming from a draw to the front, Corporal Whitney voluntarily maneuvered the members of his group into a position from which they were able to neutralize the enemy fire. Alone, he deliberately entered the draw to force the Japanese fire and reveal their positions and, while doing so, destroyed four of the hostile machine gun nests. Exposing himself constantly to enemy fire, Corporal Whitney directed his men in clearing the position of all resistance, thereby enabling the remainder of his platoon to pass through and continue the assault. His outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.