The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Philip T. Chaffee (MCSN: 0-13862), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to Company B, Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Fifth Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 15 June 1944. Returning from the beach after leading his platoon of amphibian tractors ashore in the assault wave, First Lieutenant Chaffee discovered a disabled amphibian vehicle a short distance away receiving intense machine-gun fire and, proceeding to the stranded vehicle, engaged the hostile machine gun with the weapons of this own tractor. Silencing the enemy gun, he maneuvered his vehicle near the disabled tank despite mortar fire and exploding ammunition from the burning tank and, with the assistance of his crew, removed the tank officer and crew and carried them to safety. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Chaffee and the United States Naval Service.