The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert R. Western (MCSN: 283546), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 30 June 1944. With his platoon pinned down by fire and its advance halted, Private First Class Western braved heavy machine gun fire to make his way across an open field to guide to safety men who had become isolated from his squad. Then, returning to action he led a patrol which destroyed the enemy emplacement. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Western and the United States Naval Service.