The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Mike Laitas (MCSN: 959162), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 21 June 1945. On two occasions, Private First Class Laitas boldly fired on enemy troops who were forming lines of resistance in front of his company’s zone of action, although on both instances, upon discovering the enemy moving up, it was necessary for him to expose himself in full view of the enemy troops in order to open fire and prevent them from forming a stronger line of defense. Fearlessly moving from one position to another, he advanced and destroyed two hostile machine guns and their crews with rifle and grenade fire. By his courageous initiative, Private First Class Laitas contributed materially to routing the enemy forces in the last phase of the campaign, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.