The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Lemuel Cornick Shepherd, Jr. (MCSN: 0-889), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the FIRST Marine Brigade (Provisional) prior to and during the assault and occupation of Guam in the Mariana Islands, from 21 July 1944 to 10 August 1944. A forceful leader, Brigadier General Shepherd expeditiously assembled, organized and trained the First Provisional Marine Brigade for the Guam operation in a five-week period prior to embarkation. Fiercely assaulting strong beach defenses in the Southern Landing Force attack on Guam, he rapidly advanced his brigade inland despite continuous hostile mortar, artillery and small-arms fire and, steadily forcing the Japanese back, secured a firm beachhead by nightfall. Relentlessly pushing forward the following morning, he succeeded in isolating the Japanese by trapping a large force on Orote Peninsula and, driving the fanatic enemy before him, forged ahead without interruption to seize the entire peninsula with its vital airfield. After a brief rest, he placed his unit in friendly lines and, slashing through dense jungle growth for eight miles, aided the advance of the landing force to the northern limits of the island. His indomitable courage in repeatedly occupying forward positions to determine tactical situations and his resolute spirit of aggression in the recapture of this important stronghold reflect the highest credit upon Brigadier General Shepherd, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Lemuel Cornick Shepherd, Jr. (MCSN: 0-889), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the SIXTH Marine Division during the assault and occupation of Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, from 1 April 1945 to 21 June 1945. Schooled by grim experience in the art of countering Japanese strategies, Major General Shepherd organized a major Marine Corps fighting unit for the second time within a year, planned its commitment into battle with brilliant military acumen and landed his force on the west coast of Okinawa to seize vital Yontan Airfield in the initial operation. Cutting sharply across the width of the island, he advanced his units through Ishikawa Isthmus, wiping out vicious pockets of resistance and forcing the enemy into retreat as he completed the conquest of Ishikawa, captured the town of Nago and established a foothold at the base of mountainous Motobu Peninsula where Japanese forces were concentrated for a major defensive effort around the buttressed stronghold at Mt. Yaetake. Deploying his units for a systematic assault of the peninsula, he captured the enemy naval base at Unten Ko, then closed in to destroy the formidable mountain bastion. With northern Okinawa entirely secured by 23 April, the Sixth Marine Division was subsequently committed to the southern front where Major General Shepherd again demonstrated a superior ability to use the men and weapons at his command, hurling the strength of his iron-hearted regiments against the stubborn Naha-Shuri-Yonabaru line to effect a break-through. Rallying his heroic fighters for the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill, he occupied it finally on 19 May and, leading the shore-to-shore landings which resulted in the seizure of Oroku Peninsula with its prized Naha Airfield, swept on into the east suburbs of Naha City to aid in its capture. A dynamic leader, he rendered decisive support in the attack against a series of ridges running southward as elements under his command stormed the Mezado Ridge on 17 June and raised the American Flag on Southernmost Kiyanu Ridge four days later to mark the close of an extremely bitter campaign. His indomitable courage and astute judgment were important factors in the success of his division’s operations against this savagely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire and his superb generalship in the face of overwhelming odds reflects the highest credit upon Major General Shepherd, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.