The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Carl A. Nielsen (MCSN: 0-8596), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Second Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on the night of 20 June 1944. When an explosion occurred in ammunition dump spreading flames through the area, Captain Nielsen entered the dump despite the danger of further explosion and reorganized the fire fighting group. Directing them in their efforts to combat the threatening blaze, he attempted to isolate the fire until a second explosion killed his party and rendered him unconscious. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.