The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Merrill C. Quick (MCSN: 857390), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of a Rifle Platoon serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 17 June 1944. Pushing forward boldly in the face of terrific fire from Japanese guns, Corporal Quick led his group forward aggressively to seize a ridge designated as the company objective and, after reaching the eminence, continuously exposed himself to withering hostile blasts in order to locate enemy machine guns which were sweeping the area. Mortally wounds while directing the vigorous fire of his unit against the menacing emplacement, Corporal Quick, by his cool courage and fearless determination, inspired all those with whom he served and contributed materially to the success of his company’s mission on this vital enemy stronghold. His selfless, unfaltering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.