The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Grover A. Bates (MCSN: 0-20616), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Artillery Forward Observer, attached to the Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 27 July 1944. Although his observation was limited by wooded and hilly terrain, Second Lieutenant Bates proceeded with the infantry assault echelon until they reached a radio tower. With a detail of two men, he climbed the radio tower under heavy enemy small arms fire and, for approximately one and a half hours, directed effective artillery fire from his vantage point. His cool courage, fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.