The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Jeremiah P. Hanafin (MCSN: 467824), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company I, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 16 June 1944. Wounded during an intense five-hour enemy counter attack before dawn, Private First Class Hanafin refused to leave his gun and placing his fire on groups of the enemy who repeatedly assaulted his position with bayonets, sabers, rifle fire, grenades and mortar concentrations contributed materially to the repulse of the Japanese. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Hanafin and the United States Naval Service.