The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur J. Stuart (MCSN: 0-5559), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 14 June 1945. During a tank-infantry attack against firmly entrenched forces on an enemy-held ridge, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart drove his tank beyond the most forward advance of infantry troops to reconnoiter Japanese defenses and routes of approach for the assaulting troops and, after gaining valuable information of the enemy and terrain, left the cover of his tank to convey this information to a rifle Company Commander. Continuing his support mission, he executed and directed numerous advances until his tank received a direct hit, killing one and injuring two others. Although wounded himself, he joined a near-by tank platoon after returning the other casualties to the aid station, led this platoon into action to destroy hostile fortifications which he had previously located and, personally killing several enemy infiltrators armed with antitank grenades, successfully demolished these pockets of resistance. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.