The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Orlin A. P. Hughes (MCSN: 349351), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a platoon of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan and Tinian Islands, Marianas Group from 15 June to 1 August 1944. Assuming command of the platoon after his leader had been wounded and evacuated, Platoon Sergeant Hughes personally led a reconnaissance patrol to the crest of a ridge behind enemy installations and, boldly defying the hostile forces, returned to the ridge that afternoon and again on the following day with additional patrols and the forward observation party, accomplishing his mission on each of these patrols despite enemy rifle and machine gun fire. Wounded while directing the repulse of a severe hostile counter attack on 7 July, Platoon Sergeant Hughes refused to withdraw from the engagement until the Japanese had been dispersed. By his fearless leadership, tactical skill and cool courage, he contributed materially to the success of our forces in the Saipan and Tinian operations, and his courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.