The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Max Berkowitz (ASN: 20215117), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 24 June 1944. As a member of a forward observer team he, with other members of his party, advanced with the infantry to assault a strongly defended ridge on the opposite side of an open field. When they reached the ridge, the enemy set fire to an ammunition dump and forced them to withdraw. Corporal Berkowitz crossed the open field twice, under heavy enemy mortar and machine gun fire to assist the other members of his party, who were carrying heavy radio equipment, to the safety of rocks and trees to the rear.