The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Robert J. Noonan (MCSN: 0-14087), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 1 June 1945. Leading his company in an attack against a strong enemy force entrenched on commanding ground and heavily armed with mortars, grenade launchers and automatic weapons, Captain Noonan skillfully directed the efforts of his company and utilized the fire of his machine guns and mortars with great effect. When an enemy platoon attempted to turn the flank of his company, he supervised the movement and fire of a machine gun section which killed or wounded all of the enemy. His courage, leadership and steadfast devotion to duty reflect great credit upon Captain Noonan and the United States Naval Service.