The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Samuel K. Taylor (MCSN: 388833), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Communication Maintenance Man of Company A, Fourth Tank Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division during the landing on enemy Japanese occupied Saipan, Mariana Islands on 15 June 1944. When a Marine who was waiting on the edge of a landing beach reef to guide a tank, slipped and fell into the water and was swept under the ramp of a barge, Sergeant Taylor jumped into the heavy surf in complete disregard of his own safety and reaching the man successfully extricated him from under the ramp. Then, despite the heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire falling on the reef he not only assisted the man whose life he had saved but also guided the tank to the beach. His heroic action, initiative and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Taylor and the United States Naval Service.