The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Arnold O. Ringgold (MCSN: 289779), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader in a Platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 22 June 1944, Observing his platoon pinned down by fire from a hostile bunker, Sergeant Ringgold immediately led four men through a barrage of enemy sniper and machine-gun fire and around the left flank of the hostile position and, by engaging the Japanese and drawing their fire, enabled his companions to withdraw to a better position. Coolly and capably directing his group, he succeeded in leading them from their hazardous position without loss and in rejoining the platoon. His initiative, leadership and aggressive devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Ringgold and the United States Naval Service.