The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

FIRST LIEUTENANT MARTIN J. SEXTON

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

   The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Martin J. Sexton , United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines (Reinforced), Sixth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, on the night of 21 July 1944. When his company was assigned to defend the right flank of the Battalion, Regimental and Brigade sector, First Lieutenant Sexton carefully deployed his troops over an exceptionally long front and, despite continuous fierce hostile counterattacks throughout the night, coolly led his unit in accomplishing its mission. Although the Japanese almost penetrated his position and lines of communication were out for several hours during the attack, making control of the company very difficult and preventing adequate mortar and artillery support, he continuously moved among his men and, by his courageous conduct and exemplary leadership, encouraged his troops to expel the attacking enemy from their positions and to annihilate more than three hundred of them. Later in the operations, he again bravely led his company during the assault on Orote Airfield and skillfully directed his unit in the accomplishment of the mission. His coolness under fire, strategic ability and courageous devotion to duty reflect great credit on First Lieutenant Sexton and the United States Naval Service.

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