The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Assistant Cook Harold E. Dansby (MCSN: 500898), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, (Reinforced), in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 17 June to 3 July 1944. Serving as the Battalion Commander’s runner on the morning of 25 June, Assistant Cook Dansby moved around the enemy flank in company with a small patrol and occupied the summit of Mount Tapotchau. Voluntarily placing himself in the most exposed outpost position, he covered the trail leading from hostile positions in the valley below to the summit of the mountain and engaged the Japanese as they attempted to come up the trail. When a direct hit by artillery fire on the Battalion Observation Post seriously wounded the commanding officer on 3 July, he braved hostile small-arms fire to move him to a less exposed position. By his cool courage under fire, indomitable fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Assistant Cook Dansby contributed materially to the success of this operation and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.