The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Daniel J. McCarthy (MCSN: 440830), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Platoon Sergeant in a Marine Rifle Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 27 February 1945. Assuming command when his platoon leader was killed during a fierce engagement with the enemy, Platoon Sergeant McCarthy made a personal reconnaissance of hostile positions and skillfully placed his supporting machine guns to inflict heavy casualties on the defending Japanese forces. Although painfully wounded during the operation, he refused aid and remained with his platoon, directing a second attack which resulted in the seizure and destruction of enemy positions, before permitting himself to be evacuated. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.