The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Dewitt E. House (MCSN: 829634), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Guide of a Rifle Platoon of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Island on 21 June 1945. When the leaders of two combined platoons were evacuated, Sergeant House assumed command and, skillfully leading an attack against a heavily fortified ridge, destroyed enemy-occupied caves which lay in the path of the advance. Braving intense hostile mortar and small arms fire, he directed his troops in seizing the crest of the ridge and in holding it against fierce Japanese opposition. His able leadership and courageous devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire reflect the highest credit on Sergeant House and the United States Naval Service.