Headquarters, 81st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 73 (March 18, 1944)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Chaplain’s Corps) Arthur Edwin Mills (ASN: 0-540017), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with 321st Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action on Peleliu Island in the Palau Group, on September 25 and 26 1944. On 25 September 1944, Chaplain Mills, from his position in a battalion command post, observed a man fall wounded. With complete disregard of the enemy fire, he moved to the side of the wounded man and moved him to the shelter of a foxhole. Again, on 26 September 1944, Chaplain Mills exposed himself in order to administer first aid to a wounded man, and while so engaged, was himself seriously wounded. Chaplain Mills’ personal courage under enemy fire and his frequent visits to the front lines were a source of inspiration to the men of his battalion. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Mills, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.