The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal John J. Daly (MCSN: 469481), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Group Leader in a platoon of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 19 February 1945. When his squad leader was killed, Corporal Daly immediately assumed command and directed an aggressive attack against a machine-gun emplacement which had pinned down the platoon. Employing his men in a flanking movement to divert the enemy’s attention momentarily, he crawled forward to a position within fifteen feet from the emplacement and signaling his squad to increase its fire, shot five rifle grenades into the aperture and rushed the Japanese position. Although mortally wounded by the intense rifle fire before he could reach the pillbox, Corporal Daly, by his planning and leadership, had insured the destruction f the strongly fortified emplacement, thereby enabling the platoon to make a substantial advance. His courage, initiative and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Daly and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.