The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Robert G. Boyd (MCSN: 333744), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company A, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 8 and 9 July 1944. Cool and aggressive during an enemy counterattack on the beach west of Kaberra Pass, Gunnery Sergeant Boyd maintained machine gun positions by re-emplacing three machine guns that were put out of action by heavy hostile fire. Carrying the guns from the left flank of the line across the entire front to the right flank where the main attack was being staged, he placed them in action and contributed materially to the large number of enemy casualties accounted for by these positions. His outstanding initiative and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.