The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Vern E. Mumm (MCSN: 361068), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Platoon Sergeant, serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese ground forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on the night of 15 June 1944. Continuously exposing himself to hostile fire after his platoon was assigned the extremely hazardous mission of defending a dangerously open flank subjected to intense volumes of Japanese artillery and mortar fire, Platoon Sergeant Mumm coolly directed the furious fire of his men, repelling the attempted counterattacks of the enemy and, after communications were rendered inoperative, again braved the withering barrage of hostile fire to obtain vital reinforcements. Fearlessly advancing toward a strong Japanese emplacement, which pined his men down by perilously close-range machine-gun fire, he aggressively searched for the hostile strong point that was inflicting heavy casualties among his men and, boldly engaging several Japanese riflemen, fought with a relentless and determined spirit, destroying the enemy. Platoon Sergeant Mumm’s splendid initiative, courageous conduct and self-sacrificing actions on behalf of his platoon were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.