The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Eugene M. Campbell (MCSN: 347093), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of a Machine-Gun Section while serving with the Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 18 September 1944. With his section reduced to five men and he himself wounded as his company launched a series of attacks against well-defended enemy fortifications on a highly strategic ridge, Corporal Campbell courageously moved up in close support of the assaulting rifle troops and, when the advance of the company was held up by a group of strongly entrenched Japanese whose rifle and machine-gun fire was inflicting heavy casualties, unhesitatingly took a machine gun through a hail of hostile bullets to the only position from which flanking fire could be brought to bear and killed fifteen of the enemy, knocking out two machine guns. Subsequently continuing his heroic efforts, he was mortally wounded later in the afternoon while steadfastly manning his gun. By his brilliant initiative and tenacious devotion to duty in the face of grave peril, Corporal Campbell enabled his company to advance, and his valiant conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.