The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Harold M. Cornelison (MCSN: 325958), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Acting Squad Leader in a Platoon of Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Ngesebus, Palau Islands, 28 September 1944. With his platoon pinned down by heavy machine gun fire Corporal Cornelison voluntarily braved the intense hostile gun fire to proceed to a position on the flank and although painfully wounded by enemy grenade on the way he continued forward and alone made an attack with hand grenades to neutralize the Japanese gun emplacement. By his courage, initiative and devotion to duty, Corporal Cornelison upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.