The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

CAPTAIN WILLIAM G. H. STEPHENS, JR.

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 Captain William G. H. Stephens, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, 21 July 1944. Braving heavy enemy machine-gun and mortar fire on D-Day, Captain Stephens organized and led an attack for 250 yards over open terrain which afforded no cover or concealment, seizing Adelup Point with a loss to the enemy of sixty-five men, two 75-mm. fieldpieces and one 37-mm. gun. Then organizing his defenses, he successfully fought off continuous hostile counterattacks for a period of eleven hours with an additional loss to the Japanese of seventy men. His aggressive leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."