The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Raymond C. Kraus (MCSN: 0-8794), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of a Weapons Company attached to the Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 27 June 1944. Volunteering to lead a patrol in search of an enemy field piece which was inflicting heavy casualties and disrupting the movement of company supplies, Captain Kraus succeeded in locating the destructive weapon and, with his men, was immediately subjected to its merciless, concentrated fire. While attempting to guide his group back with the vital information, Captain Kraus was mortally wounded. By his daring leadership and alert initiative, he had contributed materially to the ultimate success of our mission on this enemy stronghold, and his courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.