The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Stephen J. Spano (MCSN: 541448), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Assistant Machine Gunner, serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 12 April 1945. Instantly taking the initiative when the advance of his company was retarded by a vicious enemy machine-gun and mortar barrage, Private First Class Spano, armed with a pistol and hand grenades, voluntarily exposed himself to move forward in the direction of the hostile weapon. Despite a painful wound, he fearlessly dashed forward and persisted in hurling his grenades at the enemy position until he had destroyed the gun and killed its crew of four men. By his indomitable fighting spirit, aggressive determination and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Private First Class Spano contributed to the successful completion of his company’s mission, and his heroic conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.