The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Leslie M. Chambers, Jr. (MCSN: 437469), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, on the morning of 2 February 1944. Skillfully acting as gunner on a mortar in the front lines, Private First Class Chambers fearlessly picked up and tossed out two live enemy hand grenades which had been thrown into his gun position. Despite a Japanese counterattack at dawn, he remained at his post and fired his mortar at perilously close ranges after all those around him had withdrawn to new defensive positions. His exceptional courage and heroic devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Chambers and the United States Naval Service.