The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William P. Fishback (MCSN: 531753), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company B, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands, 20 September 1944. When his company came under concentrated cross-fire from hostile machine guns concealed in caves on both flanks during an assault against the high coral slopes of a hill, Private First Class Fishback boldly charged up the slope and, although the left bunker was protected by interlocking bands of fire, courageously hurled hand grenades into the cave entrance. Seriously wounded in the course of this action, he continued forward until he succeeded in destroying the crew and in silencing the enemy gun. By his fortitude, aggressive fighting spirit and devotion to duty in the face of great danger, Private First Class Fishback upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.