The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Herman L. Halter (MCSN: 341778), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Crewman of Company C, Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Fifth Amphibious Corps, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands on 24 July 1944. When his tractor driver was killed by enemy machine gun fire on the way to the beach, Private First Class Halter dragged his dead comrade from the controls and, although the Japanese were concentrating their fire on the cab of the vehicle, he took over the driving of the tractor. By his alert action, he enabled his vehicle to maintain its approximate position in the wave and land the troops in their correct position. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.