The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Edward R. Murphy (MCSN: 0-42280), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Staff Officer of the Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 February 1945. With the advance elements of his Battalion becoming disorganized by intense enemy artillery and mortar fire, and with the Battalion commander, Operations Officer and other command post personnel killed, Second Lieutenant Murphy acted promptly to keep the Battalion functioning as an organized unit and, moving from position to position, skillfully directed command post personnel to an area which afforded cover from the continuous hostile barrage. By his initiative, courage and unfaltering leadership at this critical time, Second Lieutenant Murphy aided materially in maintaining unity until help came from the next higher echelon. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.