The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Roger P. Scovill (MCSN: 299256), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery M, Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, When an ammunition and gasoline dump near his battery position was set on fire by enemy artillery, Platoon Sergeant Scovill rushed to the dump despite hostile fire and, organized a fire-fighting party, directed the extinguishing of the flames. Although the fire illuminated the greater portion of the area and afforded the enemy observation, he personally removed blazing ammunition boxes from stacks of boxes not on fire and rolled drums of gas away from drums already exploding and burning. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.