The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Henry A. Boyes (MCSN: 418414), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Squad Leader of an Assault Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Island, 15 September 1944. When the advance of his platoon was halted by almost point-blank artillery fire which caused many casualties, Sergeant Boyes volunteered to ride a tank which was brought forward, after one of his comrades was wounded, and directed fire on hostile positions. In order to have a full field of vision, he rode on the outside of a tank, completely exposed to all types of heavy hostile fire while effectively directing the tank’s fire in destroying four strongly held artillery positions and their occupants. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.