The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Peter Waldo Finamore (MCSN: 531195), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Automatic Rifleman, serving with Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 April 1945. Seeing that his company was being held up by savage enemy fire from caves on the slope of a ridge, Private First Class Finamore unhesitatingly pushed forward in the face of the withering barrage to deliver extremely effective fire on the enemy, neutralizing three cave positions and killing at least ten Japanese soldiers. Despite wounds sustained during this action, he nevertheless continued to push forward and, when he could no longer stand, resolutely fired his rifle from a sitting position until he finally collapsed. His valiant action enabled the entire line to resume is advance and seize its objective, and his indomitable fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Finamore and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.


