The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Houston Stiff (MCSN: 0-7848), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 16 September 1951. When his battalion was assigned the mission of seizing a strategic hill position, consisting of a series of formidable and heavily defended enemy strong points, Lieutenant Colonel Stiff bravely exposed himself to intense hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire and moved with the assault elements, directing his attack from a completely exposed forward position. Expertly employing his supporting arms and maneuvering his companies, he materially aided his men in seizing the objective. Despite the numerous casualties suffered by his units, Lieutenant Colonel Stiff quickly organized the defense and successfully defended the newly won positions against a series of sharp enemy counterattacks. By his outstanding professional ability, marked courage and exemplary leadership, he served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
5th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
September 16, 1951
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
24th MarinesDivision:
4th Marine DivisionAction Date:
June 20, 1944
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 330The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Houston Stiff (MCSN: 0-7848), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 20 June 1944. Having been informed of the presence of two large enemy ammunition dumps somewhere forward of our lines, the explosion of which would endanger the lives of a large number of our men, and knowing full well that the Japanese might blow up these dumps at any instant, Captain Stiff on his own initiative fearlessly took a patrol forward during the night, successfully located, seized and guarded these dumps. Later while he was supervising the final assault on hostile positions at Marpi Point, he courageously directed the separation of civilians, mostly women and children, from a large group of fanatical Japanese soldiers who were exploding grenades and demolition charges among the civilians in order to kill them or force them to a suicidal jump off the high cliffs into the sea. By his prompt action, the annihilation of the enemy soldiers and the saving of the lives of hundreds of non-combatants was achieved. By his expert leadership, courage and devotion to duty, Captain Stiff upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.