The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Joseph Wilke (MCSN: 0-43567), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a platoon leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 3 March 1945. When the sole remaining officer of his company was absent and word was received that an immediate attack would start, Second Lieutenant Wilke effectively prepared the assault platoons for an attack against strong enemy defenses forward of Hill 382. Although unable to maintain visible contact with supporting units because of the nature of the terrain, he fearlessly ran from one to another, keeping the advance of the platoons coordinated, thereby enabling them to move forward with such aggressiveness that the Japanese were routed from their strongly entrenched positions. His courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit on Second Lieutenant Wilke and the United States Naval Service.