The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Henry R. Hawk (MCSN: 551374), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a Squad of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Ryukyu Islands, 8 May 1945. Assuming command of his squad when the leader was seriously wounded, Corporal Hawk skillfully directed his men in repelling three separate counter attacks. During one of these attacks when an enemy machine gun was causing severe casualties in his squad, he personally charged the hostile positions and succeeded in destroying the gun and killing several of the Japanese. His outstanding fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.