The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Willis W. Rhoades (MCSN: 454417), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery E. Second Battalion, Tenth Marines, Second Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 16 June 1944. Voluntarily braving constant enemy shellfire, Private First Class Rhoades risked his life to follow his Battery Commander into an exploding and blazing ammunition dump set ablaze in the main dump, he then courageously aided in burying individual rounds which had been blown clear by the explosions. His bravery and gallant devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Rhoades and the United States Naval Service.