The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Samuel E. Mundell (MCSN: 493738), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Leader of a Machine Gun Squad of Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 23 May 1945. Skillfully leading his squad to a strategic point on a ridge strongly defended by the enemy, Corporal Mundell detected two Japanese soldiers throwing hand grenades from the protective cover of a rocky ledge. Stealthily crawling twenty feet out on the ledge in the face of surrounding enemy mortar and machine-gun fire, he fired upon his aggressors, killing both. Again exposing himself to deadly enemy fire as he later discovered one of his own men lying wounded in a vulnerable position, he crawled to the helpless Marine, dragged him to a spot of comparative safety and administered first aid. Mortally wounded while returning to his gun station, Corporal Mundell, by his courageous leadership, fearless initiative and unfailing devotion to duty, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.