The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas E. Chapman, Jr. (MCSN: 314573), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery M, Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on the night of 16-17 June 1944. Under heavy enemy artillery fire, Corporal Chapman laid a telephone line from his battery to Battalion Headquarters and, when the line was rendered useless, re-laid it under fire. After repeating his action when communications were disrupted again, he then made a fourth trip under fire to guide the Battalion Executive Officer to Battalion Headquarters. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.