The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Rogers McC. Merrifield (MCSN: 0-15551), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to Company L, Third Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian Island, Marianas Group, 31 July 1944. Voluntarily taking command of a rifle platoon after the leader had become a casualty, First Lieutenant Merrifield braved enemy rifle and machine-gun fire to lead the platoon against a strongly entrenched Japanese position and, although severely wounded during the action, refused to be evacuated and directed a tank to the enemy position. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Merrifield and the United States Naval Service.