The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Raymond E. Cannon (MCSN: 409679), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Gunner in a Machine Gun Squad of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on the night of 22 February 1945. Observing the enemy’s attempted infiltration of our lines near his gun position, Private First Class Cannon immediately engaged the hostile force in a bitter struggle. Although severely wounded when a mortar shell practically demolished his emplacement, he refused to be evacuated and continued to man his gun, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and disrupting the attempted penetration. His initiative, determination and courage reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Cannon and the United States Naval Service.