The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private John A. Hall (MCSN: 347872), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Intelligence Section of the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands on 25 September 1944. When a severe fire fight began with the enemy whose intense hand grenade barrage had pinned down our patrol on a volunteer mission to attempt the liquidation of a hostile strong point, Private Hall bravely advanced upon the large boulders serving as a fortress for the enemy and stood in full view of the Japanese in order to observe the situation and get a field of fire. Courageously walking directly toward these active positions, he fired his Thompson sub-machine gun continuously, killing three Japanese, wounding two others and single handedly accomplished his patrol’s mission. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.