The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James V. Walker (MCSN: 0-17395), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, while serving as an Artillery Forward Observer, attached to First Battalion, Fourteenth Marines FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands on 15 June 1944. Seriously wounded by hostile fire while proceeding to the front lines and handicapped by the loss of men, First Lieutenant Walker braved intensive enemy mortar fire to return to his artillery battalion and obtain a new radio set after his had been destroyed. Informed that additional radios had not been landed, he requested a radio from the infantry battalion to be operated in the front lines for spotting artillery fire and, carrying the radio a distance of over one thousand yards through a concentrated barrage of fire, succeeded in contacting the artillery to bring fire against the enemy and prevent a counter attack. By his perseverance, indomitable fighting spirit and initiative, First Lieutenant Walker contributed materially to the success of our operation against this strongly fortified stronghold and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.