Joe Riley Crow

Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 35294 (September 20, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Joe R. Crow (MCSN: 488583), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Demolition Squad Leader, serving with Company G, 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 n a relentless assault on three mutually supporting Japanese pill boxes, 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.