The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Harold W. Scannell (MCSN: 436832), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Squad Leader serving with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-First marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 28 February 1945. Determined to break the resistance of a strategically placed Japanese pillbox which had halted his squad’s advance upon a strongly fortified hill and was inflicting severe casualties upon his platoon, Corporal Scannell personally assaulted the enemy’s stronghold, voluntarily risking his own life to crawl forward in the face of an intense barrage of hostile fire. Hurling hand grenades at the vital target, he destroyed the pillbox and its crew and, although wounded, refused evacuation in order to reorganize his squad for further attack. A bold and valiant leader, Corporal Scannell by his fearless initiative and resolute fighting spirit upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.