The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Michael A. Frihauf (MCSN: 461233), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the occupation of Saipan Island in the Marianas, on 7 July 1944. Fighting off a savage Japanese counterattack, Sergeant Frihauf tenaciously resisted the enemy’s fanatic efforts and, skillfully reorganizing his platoon when it suffered depletion by heavy casualties under the terrific onslaught, pushed the enemy back with determined aggressiveness, breaking the abortive counter-attack and annihilating sixty Japanese soldiers. With the enemy effectively disorganized, he quickly advanced his men is a relentless drive, yielding no quarter and routing the entire Japanese force in his company’s zone of action. By his forceful leadership, bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit during a critical period of the fierce hostilities, Sergeant Frihauf contributed essentially to the ultimate conquest of this vital enemy stronghold, and his undaunted courage and decisive conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.