The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joseph C. Daly (MCSN: 349231), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader in an Assault Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 16 September 1944. Ordered to reconnoiter in front of our lines, Sergeant Daily led his squad approximately sixty yards forward in conjunction with another squad on his right and engaged an advance Japanese force estimated at forty men. Coolly deploying his patrol, he skillfully conducted the engagement and, directing his squad’s fire and use of hand grenades, contributed directly to the infliction of heavy casualties on the enemy and to their repulse in his squad’s sector. Although severely wounded by shrapnel, he continued to direct the fighting and, upon completing his mission, returned his men safely to the lines. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Daily and the United States Naval Service.