The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Hayward L. Carson (MCSN: 465164), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tinian, Mariana Islands, on 24 July 1944. With the maintenance of communications lines made extremely difficult during fierce hostilities on D-Day, Private First Class Carson unhesitatingly volunteered to act as company runner and, with the entire section under heavy fire from enemy positions to the direct front, boldly exposed himself to the withering barrage to make repeated trips between his limited beachhead area and the front lines to carry vital messages, valiantly performing each perilous mission until he was mortally wounded by hostile shellfire. By his daring initiative, dauntless perseverance and cool and courageous action at great risk to his live, Private First Class Carson contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this important Japanese stronghold, and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.