The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Virgil Sampson (MCSN: 834281), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese force in the Asan Adeluo Beachhead Area, Guam, Mariana Islands, 23 July 1944. When intense enemy machine-dun fire inflicted heavy casualties and pinned down his platoon during an advance to the crest of a ridge, Private First Class Sampson voluntarily and without hesitation crawled forward through open terrain a distance of fifty yards under severe hostile fire and, courageously making his way to an advantageous position, attacked the Japanese emplacement from the flank with an automatic rifle, killing three of the crew before he himself was fatally wounded. By his splendid initiative and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of grave peril. Private First Class Sampson enabled his platoon to occupy a strategic ridge, and his self sacrificing devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.