The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Albert F. DePasquale (MCSN: 354007), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces during an attack on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on September 27, 1942. Covering the advance of his platoon as they forded the Matanikau River, in a counterattack on enemy positions, Private First Class DePasquale daringly left his defiladed position, exposing himself to Japanese rifles and machine guns, in order to get a more effective field of fire for his weapon. Holding off the enemy with his automatic rifle, he enabled his platoon to advance until, in a sudden burst of enemy machine-gun fire, he was critically wounded. His courageous initiative and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.