The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Martin J. Scanlon (MCSN: 398472), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Wireman of a Forward Observation Team of Battery E, Second Battalion, Twelfth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, on the night of 21 and 22 July 1944. Accompanying a lieutenant to an observation post on the front lines where the enemy launched numerous counterattacks during the night, Corporal Scanlon repeatedly stood up to fire his carbine and to throw hand grenades at the attacking Japanese despite heavy enemy rifle, machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire. Refusing to give up his position when he sustained serious wounds, he continued to fight until ordered to withdraw and, although still subjected to intense enemy fire, carried a more seriously wounded Marine down a precipitous slope to an evacuation station where he fell unconscious as a result of his own wounds. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.