The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Jessie E. Brister (MCSN: 0-14253), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of the First Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 20 June 1944. Participating in an intense artillery counterbattery attack, First Lieutenant Brister bravely worked his way forward to an ammunition dump which had been set on fire by hostile shell explosions and supervised the extinguishing of the fire and evacuation of casualties. Tirelessly assisting until serious wounds necessitated his evacuation, he contributed materially to saving the lives of numerous men and large quantities of ammunition. His Courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.