The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant David Sokol (MCSN: 301172), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Tank Dozer Commander of Company C, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 5 May 1945. While under heavy enemy antitank, small-arms and mortar fire, Sergeant Sokol ably directed the dozing of a road through a railroad cut and, leaving his turret hatch open, daringly exposed himself outside his tank to constant enemy fire in order to accomplish the mission in the minimum amount of time. By his outstanding leadership and coolness under fire in completing this mission, Sergeant Sokol enabled friendly tanks to fire on the enemy’s rear, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.