The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Kenneth R. Dobie (MCSN: 353776), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 15 and 17 September and 2 October 1944. When the enemy infiltrated the lines of his unit’s mortar positions during a fierce Japanese counterattack the night of 15 September, Private First Class Dobie fearlessly left his comparatively safe position and, armed only with a pistol, succeeded in killing six Japanese, thereby saving the lives of six of his companions and enabling them to continue their sustained fire fight against the enemy. With his squad leader a casualty in a vicious hostile artillery barrage on 17 September, he unhesitatingly assumed command of the squad and controlled his weapon, delivering an uninterrupted flow of mortar fire against the enemy and contributing to the success of the attack. Occupying a defensive line in the vicinity of a heavily fortified airfield the morning of 2 October, Private First Class Dobie was fatally struck down by a Japanese sniper while courageously carrying out his duties as a mortar observer for his company. His daring aggressiveness, indomitable fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to the completion of each hazardous engagement were essential factors in the success of our operations against a fanatic enemy and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.