The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Michael D. Benda (MCSN: 0-15398), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 20 May 1945. While directing the attack of his unit against a strongly fortified enemy position on Hill 57, north of Shuri, First Lieutenant Benda saw that further attack was impossible at the time and, exposing himself to enemy machine gun and mortar fire, supervised the evacuation of casualties. Then reorganizing his company, he personally led a tank-infantry attack which resulted in the capture and occupation of the objective and the annihilation of enemy forces with a minimum of casualties to his own men. His skilled leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and unrelenting devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.