The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Louis J. Hellrung (MCSN: 494071), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Rifleman while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, Fifth Amphibious Corps in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 26 June 1944. Sent out on patrol duty when his company gained the ridgeline of Mt. Tapotchau, Private First Class Hellrung audaciously crawled towards the enemy position and single-handedly knocked out a Japanese pill box with hand grenades, annihilating its entire gun crew. By his heroic act, he contributed essentially to the ultimate conquest of this strategically important enemy stronghold and his daring courage under fire and unwavering devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Hellrung and the United States Naval Service.