The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Joseph R. Cassidy (MCSN: 0-15424), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese Forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 17 September 1944. Refusing to be evacuated although painfully wounded, First Lieutenant Cassidy reorganized his platoon which had suffered heavy casualties and, assaulting a heavily fortified enemy-held hill, led his men in the destruction of three hostile placements and thirty Japanese, thereby facilitating the advance of his company the following day. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Cassidy and the United States Naval Service.