The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Benet A. Praught (MCSN: 404473), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a rifleman of Company L, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines SECOND Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 27 June 1944. Assigned with another Marine the mission of establishing a listening post within the area of a jungle covered precipice where the left flank of his company was anchored in order to detect and prevent infiltration of enemy troops, Private First Class Praught observed a group of hostile forces working its way up the cliff shortly after dark and stationing himself directly in the path of the enemy, permitted them to approach to close range where he repulsed and scattered them with hand grenades. Although his position was repeatedly assaulted throughout the night, he remained at this post and continued to turn back the Japanese despite wounds caused by grenade fragments. By his courageous and aggressive actions, Private First Class Praught prevented enemy penetration during a critical phase of the operation and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.