The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Chester W. Elam (MCSN: 361075), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-second Marines (reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, Third Amphibian Corps, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, 28 July 1944. With his platoon subjected to rifle and machine-gun fire, Private First class Elam placed himself in an exposed position in front of an enemy dugout and, opening fire with his automatic rifle, neutralized the machine gun in the dugout. Severely wounded in the leg and ordered to safety by his Platoon Leader, he held his position and refused to withdraw until all other wounded had been evacuated under his covering fire. His initiative and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Elam and the United States Naval Service.