The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Terry G. Couch (MCSN: 334344), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy held Peleliu, Palau Islands on 15 September 1944. When his platoon was pinned down and receiving many casualties from a camouflaged hostile machine gun emplacement during an attack over difficult terrain covered with dense undergrowth, Corporal Couch voluntarily crawled forward through the fire swept brush and locating the gun, engaged it with fire. As this proved only partially effective he charged the enemy emplacement in the full face of its destructive fire and killed the crew with hand grenades. He then covered the adjacent hostile positions with rifle fire until his platoon was able to advance and destroy them. His aggressive fighting spirit, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.