The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Charles J. Bletsch (Bletch), Jr. (MCSN: 372086), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Demolition Corporal of Company A, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 15 September 1944. With the assault held up by intense enemy fire from a number of well-fortified Japanese pillboxes, Corporal Bletsch worked his way forward under the covering fire of his comrades and despite the enemy’s intense rifle, machine gun and mortar fire, reached the hostile positions. Skillfully setting charges, he demolished four of the strong points and annihilated several of the enemy before he was severely wounded by an enemy hand grenade while making a determined effort to destroy the fifth emplacement. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Bletsch and the United States Naval Service.