The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Henry D. Strunk (MCSN: 0-5580), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer, attached to First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan and Tinian Islands, Marianas Group, from 15 June to 1 August 1944. Landing on the beach in the face of intense enemy fire which caused numerous casualties in his battalion, Major Strunk rendered invaluable service in reorganizing and coordinating the companies to maintain a strategic position and reach the objective. Organizing his patrol with another group, he directed the blasting of several caves where engineers were pinned down in a ravine and successfully evacuated the wounded and led both patrols to a safe position. Voluntarily leading another patrol into enemy territory, he assisted in destroying one machine gun and in blasting two caves to enable his battalion to advance and secure a strategic sector. By his gallant conduct and indomitable fighting spirit, Major Strunk contributed materially to the success of our operations against this heavily fortified Japanese stronghold, and his inspiring devotion throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.