Marion Elmer Price

2nd Lieutenant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General FMF Pacific: Serial 98302 (November 1, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Marion Elmer Price (MCSN: 0-38731), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a platoon leader of Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 20 June 1945.
Prior to the commitment of his company into the line, Second Lieutenant Price voluntarily accompanied his Commanding Officer and two others on a reconnaissance of the assault area and when the party was ambushed as it crossed an open space at the base of Kiyany-Gusuku Ridge, gained a covered position from which he returned the enemy's fire with the only automatic weapon in the party.
Observing that his Commanding Officer had been seriously wounded and that the officer with him was unable to drag him from the position due to the heavy fire, he courageously moved to the aid of the wounded officer and despite the hostile fire being delivered at fifteen to twenty yards, remained with the two officers for over an hour holding the Japanese in check with automatic rifle fire and protecting his Commanding Officer from further injury until help arrived.
After assisting in carrying the wounded man to safety, Second Lieutenant Price then aided in tying in the lines and contributed materially to the success of his company's mission.
His fortitude, selflessness and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.