The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Dennis J. Hines (MCSN: 535908), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as A Fire Team Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 21 May 1945. Wounded in the foot while leading his team in the assault on heavily defended enemy positions during the fierce fighting on Sugar Loaf Hill, Corporal Hines left his platoon but voluntarily returned within an hour and once again led his men in the face of heavy hostile fire to neutralize and destroy enemy caves and fortified positions which were checking the advance of his platoon. Although wounded a second time by shell fragments, he refused to be evacuated until his fire team had successfully completed its mission. By his skillful leadership and cool courage under heavy enemy fire, Corporal Hines served as a constant source of inspiration to his comrades, and his unswerving devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.