The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Albert D. Hemphill (MCSN: 275502), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Gunnery Sergeant of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands on 26 July 1944. When his company lost radio and telephone communications with our tanks during a combined infantry and tank operation against strong hostile cave positions, Gunner Sergeant Hemphill voluntarily moved forward under hostile fire to reestablish contact. Occupying an exposed position, he transmitted signals from the armored vehicles to his Company Commander. Fired upon by an enemy machine gun he immediately located this gun position and, returning to the company, boldly led a rocket team forward to destroy the hostile weapon, personally accounting for three of the enemy. By his indomitable courage, initiative and devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Hemphill upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.