The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain David A. Kelleher, Jr. (MCSN: 0-9677), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the First Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 15-16 June 1944. Perilously close to enemy lines on an exposed portion of the front when Japanese tanks launched fire on his position from all directions, Captain Kelleher braved withering shell and machine-gun fire to operate his radio, maintaining close liaison with forward observers on other sections of the front. Exposing himself fearlessly and with complete disregard of his own personal safety throughout the intense action in which hostile tanks overran the entire area, Captain Kelleher, by his outstanding combat skill and superb courage contributed greatly to the success of our mission in this strategically important island, and his unwavering devotion to duty at the risk of his own life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.