The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James C. Milliff (MCSN: 335683), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Agana Airfield, Guam, Mariana Islands, on 5 August 1944. Attacked by a Japanese with a saber as he stood watch on a gun position, Sergeant Milliff deflected the blade with his hand and, grasping it firmly despite severe cuts, held his antagonist in an upright position to enable Marines in another foxhole to deliver effective fire without endangering the other men in his gun position, thereby saving his comrades from injury and stopping the attack on his position while sustaining a bullet wound in his own leg. His courage, perseverance and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.