The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Staff Sergeant Kenneth W. Mize (MCSN: 199721), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Member of the Beach Defense, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Corregidor, Philippine Islands, 2 May 1942. When direct hostile artillery hits on our powder magazine caused disastrous explosions and set fire to several ammunition dumps nearby, Staff Sergeant Mize voluntarily, and without orders, made his way through the flaming debris and flying shell fragments to assist in evacuating the wounded and in extinguishing the inferno. Heroically persevering in his valiant efforts under the most chaotic conditions, he aided in bringing the fire under control and in removing valuable materials from the battery and, ignoring renewed enemy artillery and air bombardments, removed many wounded and trapped men to safety. By his resolute courage and unselfish concern for the welfare of others, Staff Sergeant Mize was instrumental in saving numerous lives, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.