The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Kenneth P. Dondero (MCSN: 507291), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery H, Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 7 July 1944. Taking the initiative when his battery was surrounded and under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire during a fanatical Japanese counterattack, Private First Class Dondero made repeated trips across an open field to collect enemy small arms and grenades and thereby increased the firepower of the besieged position. In order to obtain much-needed water for casualties from another battery which was also under attack, he passed through enemy-held areas, fearlessly exposing himself to hostile fire, machine-gun and mortar fire in an effort to alleviate his wounded comrade’s thirst. His indomitable courage and gallant spirit of service reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Dondero and the United States Naval Service.