The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Benton R. Graves (MCSN: 301159), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Section Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 May 1945. When his company was ordered to withdraw to a more favorable position, Corporal Graves voluntarily moved forward alone under heavy hostile fire and set up a light machine gun in an exposed position in order to cover the displacement of his company. Although under constant heavy enemy fire, he succeeded in neutralizing two hostile machine guns and in killing several enemy riflemen and, by his courageous efforts, aided materially in the successful withdrawal of his company with a minimum of casualties. His aggressive fighting spirit and untiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.