The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Bernhard E. Schroeder (MCSN: 0-23680), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 5 July 1944. Although wounded during the initial assault, Second Lieutenant Schroeder heroically refused evacuation and skillfully carried on until forced by additional painful wounds to retire from combat on 17 June. Subsequently volunteering to return to duty, he led his platoon against a heavily defended hostile position to close an existing gap and, while courageously exposing himself to intense and accurate enemy machine-gun and sniper fire in an attempt to establish contact with another unit, was mortally wounded. Second Lieutenant Schroeder’s valiant conduct and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.