The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Wayne B. Cheatwood (MCSN: 858838), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Acting Platoon Leader, serving with Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 20 June 1945. Unhesitatingly assuming command of his depleted unit when his platoon leader was wounded, Sergeant Cheatwood skillfully reorganized his inexperienced men under intense hostile machine-gun and small-arms fire and, imbuing them with his own indomitable fighting spirit and aggressive determination, vigorously pressed forward in the attack. Coolly and courageously directing his gallant Marines in the fierce fighting that followed, he succeeded in clearing the area in his assigned sector until, hindered by casualties and having lost contact with the adjacent platoons, he halted the offensive. Repeatedly exposing himself to draw the concentrated fire of the enemy, he directed the successful evacuation of the wounded and effected the safe withdrawal of his platoon to the company lines before he himself was mortally wounded. Sergeant Cheatwood’s valiant leadership, great personal valor and unfaltering devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.