The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Herman E. Schmersahl (MCSN: 347635), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company D, Second Tank Battalion, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 3 July 1944. While acting a liaison between tank and infantry units pushing through the town of Garapan, Private First Class Schmersahl repeatedly exposed himself to intense hostile enemy machine-gun and rifle fire to guide and coordinate the movements of the tank and infantry units. When the sound-power telephone on the tanks failed to work, he skillfully led the tanks into position and pointed out targets by the use of arm and hand signals in front of the vehicles, On one occasion, when the infantry units were pinned down by extremely heavy enemy fire which forced his unit to leave a light flame thrower tank in front of the lines without communication, he immediately worked his way forward of the lines to contact the light tank and back it into a safe position. Subsequently leading two medium tanks, he again pointed out hostile targets, thereby contributing materially to the success of the operation. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.