The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Platoon Sergeant Raymond F. O’Brien (MCSN: 420269), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Machine Gun Section Leader serving with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action on enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1845. With his company halted by severe enemy fire of all types, Platoon Sergeant O’Brien made a daring forward reconnaissance to locate positions for his machine guns for the ensuing attack and determined probable enemy fields of fire. Attacked by machine-gun fire from an unknown position on his left flank, he returned to his unit, called for a demolitions man and again advanced. Under intense fire, Platoon Sergeant O’Brien and his companion crawled the last twenty yards to the Japanese pillbox and set off charges, destroying the pillbox and killing the occupants. While covering the withdrawal of the demolitions man, Platoon Sergeant O’Brien was fatally wounded by hostile fire. His heroic self-sacrifice and cool courage throughout were in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.