The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Richard A. Wrege (MCSN: 518676), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a 60-mm. mortar section leader of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 12 March 1945. When hostile mortar fire held up his company’s advance inflicting many casualties, Corporal Wrege learned the location of the hostile gun and, volunteering with his companions to move a mortar to an exposed position forward of his company, delivered observed fire on the enemy. Although his position was subjected to intense hostile fire, he remained steadfast and was instrumental in the destruction of the hostile mortar. His courage and devotion to duty during this action reflect the highest credit on Corporal Wrege and the United States Naval Service.