The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Van V. Adams (MCSN: 820341), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Machine Gun Squad Leader while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 9 July 1944. When hostile machine gun fire wounded the men carrying the gun as Corporal Adams led his squad in an attack on a strongly defended enemy position, he courageously crawled forward alone, although he had been wounded twice, in an attempt to recover the gun from its exposed position. While he was attempting to reach the weapon with a length of wire, an enemy land mine, aimed at him, exploded and partially demolished the gun. Refusing to be evacuated, Corporal Adams returned to the front lines and joined in the attack, sustaining two more wounds before he was ordered to the rear. By his leadership, initiative and devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the success of this vital campaign and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.