The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Stanley A. Maheski (MCSN: 445581), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Squad Leader in a Rifle Platoon serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during the assault and occupation of enemy Japanese-held Saipan in the Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 6 July 1944. When his squad, advancing northward on the eastern side of Saipan, was pinned down by intense Japanese machine-gun and rifle fire on 6 July, Sergeant Maheski ordered his men to take cover at the rear and, standing upright in an exposed position, engaged the strongly entrenched hostile forces will well-directed rifle fire, completely and effectively covering the withdrawal of his men to more tenable positions until he himself was struck down and instantly killed. By his resolute leadership and aggressive determination in the face of terrific odds, Sergeant Maheski enabled his squad to hold back the Japanese until other elements of the platoon enveloped the enemy’s exposed flank and annihilated the hostile troops. His cool courage and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.