The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Merwin H. Silverthorn, Jr. (MCSN: 0-10830), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, Fifth Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 10 and 11 July 1944. Exercising great ingenuity and daring as a member of a reconnaissance patrol, Captain Silverthorn swam to the enemy-held beaches on two occasions, at grave risk of detection, to obtain important intelligence information regarding the nature of beaches and terrain and their suitability for invasion by our troops. In spite of the detailed nature of the mission, Captain Silverthorn executed it with such expert skill that his presence was not discovered by the enemy. His gallant spirit, determination and unswerving devotion to duty were contributing factors in the successful conquest of Tinian and reflect the highest credit upon Captain Silverthorn and the United States Naval Service.