The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Steve K. Simon (MCSN: 448323), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, from 22 to 26 July 1944. Despite head wounds which were not sufficiently healed to enable him to wear a helmet, Private First Class Simon obtained permission to rejoin his company on the front lines and participated in repelling a fierce Japanese counterattack, killing at least six of the enemy before his own weapon was rendered inactive by a hostile grenade. Refusing to be evacuated, he remained in position until his company had attacked and restored the lines and then, while returning to the rear, received a third wound by rifle fire from Japanese troops who had infiltrated. His courageous actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.