The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Steven J. Davis, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving s a Section Leader with Weapons Company, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 9 November 2004, Staff Sergeant Davis and his platoon were providing security for armored ambulances evacuating casualties from the heart of Fallujah when the two lead vehicles came under heavy fire from multiple locations. One Marine who had dismounted and positions himself against a wall across an open lot was wounded by the gunfire. Staff Sergeant Davis immediately dismounted his own vehicle, and with total disregard for his own safety, sprinted 40 meters across open terrain to reach the casualty, exposing himself to a hail of enemy fire. As the two of them began moving back across the open area, the other Marine sustained a serious gunshot through the leg and collapsed. Staff Sergeant Davis dragged the Marine a short distance further to get him behind the cover of a small rock pile, but was then himself wounded. Unable to move any further due to the intensity of enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Davis remained partially exposed to the enemy’s fire and used his own body to shield the wounded Marine. He continued to protect the casualty until some other Marines arrived to move him to safety. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Staff Sergeant Davis reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.