The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Louis T. Van De Walle (MCSN: 499266), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with a Rifle Platoon in Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Saima, Ryukyu Islands, 9 May 1945. In charge of ammunition supplies for his platoon, Corporal Van De Walle rendered valiant service as his comrades fought relentlessly against the enemy’s continuous counterattacks the night of 9 May. When the supply situation became increasingly more critical under the stress of prolonged battle action, he took it upon himself to traverse the front lines despite constant small-arms and grenade fire, delivering urgently needed ammunition to troops deployed over approximately two hundred yards of difficult terrain and, undeterred by the additional danger of attack by infiltrating Japanese, tenaciously persevered in his determined efforts as the bitter conflict raged throughout the grim night hours, completing seven of these self-imposed missions before dawn. Loyal and stouthearted in the face of extreme danger, Corporal Van De Walle had enabled his platoon to repulse the enemy’s desperate attempts to over-run the gallantry defended position and his intrepid conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.