Joe R. Crow

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Joe R. Crow (488583), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Demolition Squad Leader, serving with Company C, Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 20 February 1945. Leading his squad through intense automatic fire from the concealed enemy in a relentless assault on three mutually supporting Japanese pillboxes, Sergeant Crow succeeded in reaching his objective despite two casualties and, skillfully maneuvering his men to destroy two of the hostile emplacements, annihilated the third before he fell, mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. His expert leadership and relentless fighting spirit in the accomplishment of this daring mission contributed materially to a two-hundred yard advance on Mount Suribachi by his company and reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Crow and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.