The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Dennis H. Powers (MCSN: 457913), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company B, First battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 2 April 1945. When counterattacking hostile forces occupied high ground to the right and placed his company in a hazardous position, Sergeant Powers was assigned the mission of driving the enemy from the high ground and securing the company’s flank. Leading his squad up the spur and discovering the Japanese in the act of placing anti-personnel mines in the area, he immediately opened fire and charged the group, killing two and causing the remainder to set off a mine prematurely. Although wounded himself by fragments from the explosion of the mine, he continued to clear the ridge of all hostile forces. His courageous leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.