The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Anthony Walker (MCSN: 0-7286), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands from 1 April to 15 June 1945. Leading his unit on a total of nineteen hazardous reconnaissance missions and five combat missions and employing tanks as a means of rapid advance Major Walker penetrated deep into enemy held territory to locate hostile strong points and gain other valuable information which enabled the infantry units to contact and destroy the enemy with speed. Making numerous reconnaissance’s to outlying islands in rubber assault craft, ferreting out the Japanese and securing the islands for our use, he aided in the establishment of important Naval installations on Bise Point on the Motobu Peninsula by leading his company in a rapid drive of ten miles through enemy held territory to seize the desired area and then successfully defended it for eight days until relieved by the advancing infantry. During operations on Southern Okinawa, he led his company in night reconnaissance of the capital city of Naba and, providing valuable information for the subsequent attack across the Asato River, succeeded in seizing a limited objective and assisted in the main attack. Later, Major Walker conducted a reconnaissance of the Oroku Peninsula in advance of the amphibious assault forces and planned and executed the landing on Senage Shima to neutralize hostile positions that were harassing the division right flank. His courageous leadership, judgment and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.