The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Jacob J. Bradfield (ASN: 35030410), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 7 July 1944. Private Bradfield was a crew member of a light tank which was placed on the outer perimeter of the infantry line to assist in preventing an enemy break-through during the Japanese counterattack near Tanapag. In order to obtain sufficient observation, Private Bradfield kept open the turret doors of his tank which silhouetted him before the enemy and exposed him to enemy fire, which was continuous during the night. By this action he was able to see and fire on enemy targets of opportunity. He was able to prevent the enemy from entering the perimeter of the infantry at this point and from throwing grenades into infantry foxholes. In one instance an enemy soldier was so close to his tank that he had to destroy him with his pistol because he could not depress the tank guns sufficiently.