The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Carl M. Darby (MCSN: 228324), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Rifleman serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 12 March 1945. Boldly exposing himself to enemy attack, Private Darby crawled alone to a point within twenty-five yards of a Japanese pillbox holding up his advancing platoon by deadly machine-gun and sniper fire and, covering the advance with fierce automatic weapons fire, succeeded in killing three of the enemy and driving the others from their firing ports in the pillbox, thereby enabling his platoon to continue its forward movement. Although wounded in the furious encounter, he voluntarily returned to his firing position after receiving first aid and courageously continued his effective covering fire until shot down by the enemy. By his cool courage and relentless fighting spirit, Private Darby contributed in a large measure to the success of his platoon in the destruction of the pillbox and the annihilation of the enemy defending it, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.