The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ermon D. Roberts (MCSN: 945365), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Crewman of the Ninth Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 14 May 1945. When the enemy counter-attacked and regained ground on which twelve wounded Marines were lying, Private First Class Roberts volunteered to aid in the evacuation of the wounded by amphibian tractor and, crossing Japanese lines in the face of intense fire, effectively repelled immediate attacks by the enemy as he assisted in bringing the casualties aboard the tractor and returned them to our lines. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Roberts and the United States Naval Service.