The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James R. Currier (MCSN: 0-16105), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of a Mortar Platoon of the First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands from 17 to 22 September 1944. With his group assigned the mission of supporting the Battalion attack on a ridge from which heavy and continuing hostile mortar and machine gun fire enfiladed the front lines, First Lieutenant Currie voluntarily and boldly led his forward control team to an exposed position well in advance of the attacking troops to gain observation. After every other man in his control team had been killed or wounded, he courageously remained alone at his post to direct effective fire on the enemy position inflicting heavy casualties and permitting the Battalion to seize its objective. His fortitude, daring initiative and devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.