Silver Star

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS

DURING World War II

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Corporal

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Division: 5th Marine Division

GENERAL ORDERS:

Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 44533

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William J. Dwyer (MCSN: 341278), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Group Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 1 March 1945. When intense hostile machine-gun and sniper fire halted the advance of his platoon, Corporal Dwyer crawled thirty yards under the fire of an enemy machine gun to aid a wounded Marine. After giving first aid to the wounded man, he worked his way toward the well-concealed enemy position and, courageously exposing himself to the intense fire, hurled grenades which silenced the Japanese position and enabled his platoon to renew the attack and seize the objective. His aggressive spirit and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

William Joseph Dwyer (1923)