The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant (then Sergeant) Chester W. Shipley, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 231st Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, on 27 September 1944. During the progress of an attack, Staff Sergeant Shipley, an acting squad leader, volunteered to join his company commander and one other man on an extremely dangerous reconnaissance mission which had as its purpose the establishment of contact with an adjacent company. It was necessary for the patrol to move over terrain known to be under enemy observation in order to accomplish its objective. Despite all precautions to proceed without being detected, the patrol was observed by the enemy and two of its members were killed. Staff Sergeant Shipley returned to the company with the valuable information the patrol obtained. Staff Sergeant Shipley’s courageous actions on this occasion exemplified to his company the highest standards of devotion to duty and inspired all to greater efforts.