The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Howard Madsen (MCSN: 880966), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Marine of an Engineer Squad, serving with Company C, Fifth Engineer Battalion, Faith Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 March 1945. Instantly alert and prepared for a sudden enemy move when both members of his two-man demolition team were hit by hostile fire while placing an explosive charge inside a Japanese cave, Private First Class Madsen advanced to help his comrades out of the hazardous trap. After assisting one man from the cave, he stealthily inched forward to rescue the second by using a pole and rope but, while attempting to secure the rope around the helpless man’s feet, was discovered and fatally wounded by enemy fire. Private First Class Madsen, by his cool courage and self-sacrificing spirits in the face of grave peril, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.