The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Harold F. Williams (MCSN: 448695), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a rifle Squad Leader of Company C, Fist Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 10 March 1945. When the advance of his squad was halted by intense small arms and grenade fire emitting from an enemy emplacement strongly entrenched on a steep cliff, Corporal Williams fearlessly advanced alone up the precipitous slopes through an intense hostile grenade barrage and destroyed the enemy machine gun position and several rifle men, thereby enabling his platoon to continue its advance and also to evacuate numerous wounded Marines. His selfless courage, initiative and grim determination during this action reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Williams and the United States Naval Service.