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 First Class Dick Watson (ASN: 6298126), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division near Tanapag, Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 5 July 1944. While in action against enemy riflemen, machine guns and three medium tanks which held up the advance of his company, Private First Class Watson worked himself forward to an exposed position. With the assistance of another soldier, he observed and located many enemy positions, including enemy tanks. He then engaged these targets with rifle grenades until direct fire from the tanks wounded both men and forced them to withdraw. Private First Class Watson reported these positions to the command post and enabled the company to direct the fire of the tanks, which arrived later, on these targets.