The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Michael Dunski (MCSN: 295685), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Section Leader of an 81-mm. Mortar Platoon of Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, from 21 to 26 July 1944. When a hostile mortar shell exploded and killed the mortar officer and two others while his platoon was supporting the advance of an infantry battalion on 21 July, Sergeant Dunski immediately assumed command and resumed fire with the two remaining undamaged mortars, rendering vitally needed support to our troops. When approximately thirty of the enemy overran his platoon and threatened to destroy the emplacements during an attack on 26 July, he quickly organized a defense line between the Mortars and the Battalion Command Post and, after the Japanese had been pinned down, boldly led his men in a daylight attack which resulted in their annihilation and the reoccupation of the mortar positions. By his tactical skill, initiative and courageous devotion to duty throughout, Sergeant Dunski upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.