The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] David Louis Martineau (NSN: 0-72377), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PHELPS (DD-360), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the amphibious assault on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 18 June 1944. Fearless in the face of intense enemy shore battery fire, Commander Martineau expertly directed his damaged ship in delivering aggressive attacks to silence the hostile positions. Later placing his vessel alongside a repair ship, he continued to deliver effective gunfire against other enemy shore batteries during the period of repair work. His devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon Commander Martineau and the United States Naval Service.