The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Dell H. Cook, Jr. (MCSN: 517168), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Runner for a mortar observer of Company C, First Battalion fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Oroku Peninsula, Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands on 11 June 1945. Braving intense enemy small arms fire Private First Class Cook continuously threw hand grenades into an enemy position above his company’s location and made three trips through hostile mortar and machine gun fire to repair breaks in the telephone lines. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.