The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Edward S. Baker, Jr. (MCSN: 400053), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Radio Operator of a Tank Liaison Party of Company C, Fourth Tank Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 15 June 1944. Completely disregarding his own safety in the face of extremely heavy enemy shellfire after all communications had failed, Sergeant Baker left the shelter of a shell hole, climbed into a partially destroyed amphibian tractor and repaired its damaged radio. Then, contacting a company of medium tanks afloat in landing craft, he established and maintained communications, ordering the tanks to land at that critical time. By his gallant action, Sergeant Baker made it possible to bring the tanks of the landing team when they were urgently needed, and his resolute courage, daring initiative and unswerving devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.