The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Raymond E. Herren (MCSN: 366555), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-second Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, during the night of 21 July 1944. Although momentarily stunned by a demolition charge thrown into his position during an attack against his sector, Private First Class Herren courageously maintained his position and succeeded in killing one of the enemy attackers in a desperate hand to hand encounter. In addition, he helped repel the other by the fire from his machine gun, thereby contributing materially to the defeat of the enemy in his sector. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.