The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Alvin E. Degnitz (MCSN: 809755), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman in an Assault Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 September 1944. During an advance by his platoon, Private First Class Degnitz attacked and annihilated four enemy riflemen in a trench and then, although wounded twice during the action, continued to advance with his unit. Exposing himself further, despite his wounds, he destroyed an enemy machine gun with a hand grenade and tenaciously persevered in his determined effort to give battle to the enemy, remaining in the assault until all the Japanese positions had been seized and he was ordered evacuated. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Degnitz and the United States Naval Service.