The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Benjamin Franklin Jacobsen (NSN: 6782306), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Corpsman attached to the Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces at Nidual River Pass, Guam, Mariana Islands, on 21 July 1944. On that date, the advance of the assault rifle platoon to which Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Jacobsen was attached as a Corpsman was held up by heavy machine gun and hand grenade fire from a cave in which the enemy was firmly entrenched. A squad was sent out to neutralize the cave, but due to intense hostile fire and mounting casualties, was forced to withdraw leaving one seriously wounded Marine about 25 yards in front of the lines. Upon discovering the plight of the wounded man, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Jacobsen, immediately and on his own initiative, with complete disregard for his own safety, went forward of the lines to give aid to the wounded man. Although subjected to intense enemy fire, he continued to advance until he was within a few feet of the wounded man, where he was mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade. His brave conduct and unselfish devotion to duty throughout were a constant inspiration to all men around him, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.