The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert W. Thorpe (MCSN: 415091), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Flame Thrower Operator of Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 23 May 1945. Although aware that there was no need for flame throwers in the rifle attack against a hostile village, Private First Class Thorpe voluntarily exposed himself to heavy enemy mortar fire and despite his own wounds aided in the evacuation of other casualties to a covered position. After assisting the corpsman in administering first aid he proceeded to the Battalion Aid Station, guided a stretcher party to the company’s position and then fainted from loss of blood, thereby revealing for the first time that he was wounded. His courage under fire and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.