The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Baxter U. Gann (MCSN: 295026), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 23 November 1945. Operating well ahead of oncoming tanks supporting a strategic advance by his company against a fanatic enemy on Betio Island, Sergeant Gann fearlessly exposed himself to the shattering hostile fire to point out strongly fortified Japanese positions, in one instance personally leading the tanks forward of assault units against a heavy concentration of machine-gun fire to destroy a hostile pillbox retarding the advance of our forces. By his daring initiative, dauntless perseverance and unwavering devotion to the completion of each perilous mission at great personal risk, Sergeant Gann contributed materially to the success of his unit in neutralizing many hostile strongholds during this period of fierce hostilities and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.