The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Phillip E. Robitaille (MCSN: 801973), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 19 June 1944. Volunteering as member of a demolition party assigned to destroy a heavily fortified hostile pillbox retarding the advance of his unit, Private First Class Robitaille fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy’s withering barrage in an effort to draw all fire to himself and, although mortally wounded during the fierce action, valiantly continued to engage the enemy in combat while his comrades closed in and wiped out the hostile emplacement. By his daring initiative, outstanding fortitude and extremely heroic conduct, Private First Class Robitaille contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this vital hostile stronghold, and his self-sacrificing 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.