The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Gerald E. Bunting (MCSN: 416702), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Tank Commander of Company A, Sixth Tank Battalion, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 12 May 1945. After his tank was disabled during an attack, Corporal Bunting dismounted in the face of enemy heavy machine-gun and rifle fire to examine the damage, then began to repair it. When the infantry withdrew to a better defensive position and he was ordered to abandon his tank, he covered his crew as they dismounted and, after the entire crew had reached the cover of another tank, sought shelter for himself. His cool courage, exemplary leadership and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.