The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John H. Sbordone (MCSN: 0-16255), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Platoon Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 9 July 1944. On 19 June First Lieutenant Sbordone’s platoon was pinned down by at least two hostile tanks firing on and approaching their position. Realizing that the company’s position was precarious and that several Marines were wounded, he bravely exposed himself to the hail of enemy fire to search for a rocket launcher and ammunition, After locating a rocket launcher man, First Lieutenant Sbordone led him forward to a position one hundred and fifty yards in front of the front lines and, undaunted by heavy hostile artillery and machine-gun fire, directed effective fire which forced the tanks to withdraw. By his valor, aggressing fighting spirit and devotion to duty, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval tradition.