The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Neil M. Hansen (MCSN: 0-15200), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy held Peleliu Palau Islands on 15 September 1944. When his company was pinned down and its advance delayed by devastating cross-fire from enemy automatic weapons emplaced in a heavily fortified antitank ditch, First Lieutenant Hansen placed himself at the head of his men and braving the hostile fire charged the barrier and pushed through, personally killing several of the enemy in fierce hand to hand combat although thirty of his own men became casualties. With his few remaining men, First Lieutenant Hansen organized his precarious position for a hasty defense and held it despite the exposed flanks after which he rallied another platoon whose leader had just been killed and, rushing it to his line, successfully repulsed a violent enemy counter attack. Although wounded by a grenade during this action, he continued to direct his men from an exposed position and held the salient until the remainder of his company assaulted the flank and seized the entire objective. His cool courage, determination and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.