The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Gerald R. Skogmo (MCSN: 0-2670), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of an Artillery Spotting Plane in Marine Observation Squadron ONE (VMO-1), during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, 5 August 1944. Flying behind Japanese lines in an unarmed plane, without pilot protection and without self-sealing gas tanks, First Lieutenant Skogmo dropped to an altitude of fifth feet over the assigned area and, in spite of intense enemy ground fire which seriously damaged his plane, successfully maneuvered his aircraft and kept it in the air until he could return to base and make a safe landing. Immediately securing another plane, he took off again and, returning to his objective, completed his mission. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Skogmo and the United States Naval Service.