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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Mike Plasha (MCSN: 444727), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as leader of a machine gun section serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands on 16 June 1944. In courageous defiance of heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire Sergeant Plasha valiantly led a section of the attack to exposed positions in order to bring fire to bear on strongly fortified enemy gun positions and pill boxes which had resisted the tank led efforts of an entire battalion for over a day. Persistently firing and throwing hand grenades he continued to press the attack until extremely heavy casualty’s forces the withdrawal of our men, later returning to the ridge to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. His daring spirit of aggressiveness and cool determination under intense hostile fire reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Plasha and the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    25th Marines

    Division:

    4th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    January 31, 1944
    Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 2788

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Mike Plasha (MCSN: 444727), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion of Ennubirr Island, Kwajalein Atoll on 31 January 1944. Realizing upon landing that his machine guns were masked by friendly troops and so of no value in the action, Corporal Plasha immediately left his guns with a squad leader and pushed forward alone. With complete disregard for his own safety he took the enemy under fire with his rifle accounting for approximately five Japanese. Noting that the assault rifle troops were moving too slowly he personally led these Marines urging them forward and causing the enemy to fall back. His daring aggressiveness, heroic devotion to duty and intelligent analysis of a critical situation reflected the highest credit upon Corporal Plasha and the United States Naval Service.