The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Houston T. Gaines (MCSN: 365046), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 19 April 1945. When the platoon to which his squad was attached was ordered to withdraw after a bitter fire fight lasting approximately an hour, Corporal Gaines saw that his unit had been cut off from the platoon by enemy fire and separated from his company by a road which was covered by intense hostile machine gun, mortar and rifle fire. Calmly and skillfully, he deployed his squad to the best cover available. Voluntarily crossing the road twice, Corporal Gaines reconnoitered a possible route of escape and, on the third crossing, led his entire unit, including three wounded men, to safety. By his initiative and courage, he averted possible heavy casualties, and his valiant leadership was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.