Raymond Kenneth Barksdale

Private 1st Class, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 34885 (September 7, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Raymond K. Barksdale (MCSN: 821101), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, Third Engineer Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 15 March 1945.
In driving his bulldozer to a point where approaches were to be built for a tank company to an enemy pocket of resistance, Private First Class Barksdale encountered heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire across an open area which prohibited stretcher bearers from proceeding to the rear with their wounded. Before joining another bulldozer working up front, he made several trips across the open terrain, using his bulldozer as a shield to give protection to the stretcher bearers.
After his vehicle was put out of action by enemy fire while he was moving into position, Private First Class Barksdale directed the actions of the other operator by visual signaling in order that the mission might be accomplished, persisting in this task until mortally wounded. By his courageous fighting spirit and utter disregard for his own personal safety he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.