The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Samuel Sylvester Blair (ASN: 37536085), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 321st Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, on 3 October 1944. When an enemy grenade landed near a group of five soldiers, Private First Class Blair, realizing the danger to the five men and disregarding his own safety, dashed forward, seized the grenade and threw it away from the group. As he threw it, the grenade exploded and a fragment mortally wounded him, but the five men were uninjured. Private First Class Blair’s quick thinking and exceptional courage without doubt saved his comrades from death or injury. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Blair, 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.