The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Marvin E. Atchison (MCSN: 338708), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 8 and 9 July 1944. When the enemy tried to break through the center of our line during a counterattack on the beach west of Kaberra Pass, Private First Class Atchison took his position at an important machine gun emplacement while two comrades furnished him with protective fire. After the other two men were wounded by the on-rushing enemy, he kept his gun in action and succeeded in maintaining our line intact by delivering sufficient fire to confuse the enemy until a medium tank came forward to give aid, thereby contributing materially to the repulse of the counterattack. His initiative and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Atchison and the United States Naval Service.