The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Henry T. Van Overbeke (MCSN: 819589), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a Rifle Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 17 May 1945. Assigned the mission of assaulting a steep cliff defended by the enemy in well entrenched and fortified positions, Private First Class Van Overbeke courageously led his men up the escarpment in the face of devastating hand-grenade, mortar and machine-gun fire, sustaining multiple wounds from shell fragment and machine-gun fire during the ascent. Refusing to be evacuated despite his painful wounds, he continued to maneuver his troops forward into positions from which effective grenade and rifle fire could be delivered on the enemy. Ordered to withdraw when it became apparent that the position would be untenable for his small group, he ably supervised the withdrawal of his men to a predetermined location and, due to the loss of blood, was forced to submit to evacuation. By his initiative, fortitude and aggressive spirit, Private First Class Van Overbeke upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.