The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Alan V. F. DuBois (MCSN: 897075), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Acting Demolition Corporal of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 16 May to 9 June 1945. Braving intense enemy machine-gun and mortar fire, Private First Class Du Bois voluntarily advanced forward of the front lines to aid a fallen Marine and, discovering that the man had been killed, reconnoitered the area, noting the placement of troops and the direction of enemy fire. After making a full report to his Platoon Leader, he again went to the front to aid casualties. Discovering one man wounded and a tank put out of action, he ordered the remaining men to take cover behind another tank and to aid that tank in its forward movement while he assisted the wounded man to cover and medical aid. Several hours later, when another Marine was reported seriously wounded in an exposed position some two hundred yards from cover, he proceeded to his aid. Although struck by mortar fragments in his left leg and suffering from loss of blood, he continued his mission and succeeded in carrying his comrade to safety, refusing medical treatment for his own wounds until he had rescued another Marine from the same terrain and all other casualties had been removed. Answering a faint call for help on 9 June, and discovering two rifle platoons badly disorganized and suffering many casualties, Private First Class Du Bois braved enemy sniper and machine-gun fire to run to the forward slope of the hill and throw two smoke grenades into the valley. By information obtained from the one member of the platoon who escaped, he aided his Commanding Officer in directing mortar smoke shells into the valley which allowed the hard-pressed Marines to withdraw from their exposed position. His fearless determination and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.