The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Francis T. Farrell (MCSN: 0-11867), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Intelligence Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy-held Peleliu, Palau Islands, from 15 September to 6 October 1944. Voluntarily leading numerous small patrols into hostile territory to secure vital information of the enemy and to ascertain their activity, Captain Farrell completed his missions on two occasions at great risk of his life. On one occasion, a Japanese ammunition dump burned and exploded in a cave in which he was searching and, later, hostile fire pinned him down for over forty minutes while on patrol after prisoners. By his skillful leadership and initiative, Captain Farrell secured documents which gave the Regimental Commander vital information concerning enemy strength, dispositions, morale and details of hostile positions which contributed materially to the success of the operation. His aggressiveness and outstanding devotion to duty throughout numerous hazardous missions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.