The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Milton J. Ralston (MCSN: 282405), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Platoon Guide serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 27 June 1944. Fighting with aggressive determination under the merciless fire of Japanese guns, Sergeant Ralston led a platoon squad in a vigorous attack against a powerfully fortified enemy strong point which had held up the advance of a battalion for two days. Reaching a point within thirty yards of the hostile emplacement and with all his men pinned down by a relentless Japanese barrage, Sergeant Ralston continuously exposed himself in order to bring effective fire on the enemy. Mortally wounded in this heroic action, Sergeant Ralston, by his superb courage and unselfish efforts, had inspired all those with whom he served, and his tenacious devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.