The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Tillman T. Ogdahl (MCSN: 0-36875), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of a Marine Rifle Platoon of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima Ryukyu Islands on 12 May 1945. When his platoon was taken under heavy machine-gun fire from well-concealed hostile emplacements, while deploying for an assault on strongly defended enemy positions, Second Lieutenant Ogdahl quickly directed the withdrawal of his platoon to protective cover and, after requesting support by tanks, proceeded alone in the face of continuing hostile fire to a position from which he could observe probable locations of enemy emplacements. When the tanks arrived, he personally led them forward on foot, pointing out hostile emplacements and directing the fire of the tanks until these positions were reduced. Although seriously wounded in the course of this action, Second Lieutenant Ogdahl contributed materially to the success of his forces in destroying a Japanese strong point. His able leadership, courage and aggressive spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.