The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Powell J. Whalen (MCSN: 0-16941), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of an Engineer Platoon of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 17 June 1944. While attempting to knock out enemy positions with demolition charges and grenades, First Lieutenant Whalen unhesitatingly led three of his men against a powerfully entrenched hostile strong point which was holding up the company’s advance continuously exposing himself to terrific Japanese fire in order to accomplish his mission. Wounded during this heroic action, First Lieutenant Whalen by his intrepid courage and zealous efforts, contributed materially to the success of his company’s operations on this island and his unfaltering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.