The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ray M. Dees (MCSN: 299560), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of a Forward Observer Party of Battery F, Second Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 15 to 20 June 1944. When his Forward Observer was wounded and evacuated, Sergeant Dees immediately assumed command of the group and, while under constant rifle fire, skillfully led them two hundred yards forward of our front lines to direct gunfire which destroyed a hostile battery of four guns and an ammunition dump. Gaining the assistance of a radio operator on the night of 20 June, he bravely worked his way forward of the lines again in an attempt to locate and destroy another enemy battery which was harassing our troops. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.