The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John W. Furman (MCSN: 334347), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Fire Team Leader of Company c, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 17 September 1944. Although several near misses from hostile mortars had completely deafened him during an attack, Private First class Furman boldly continued to lead his men and, when an amphibian tractor which had been supporting the attack was hit by a high explosive shell near the objective, courageously dashed forward under heavy enemy fire to extricate the driver from the burning vehicle. After carrying the wounded driver one hundred yards across a fire-swept area to a position of comparative safety, he fearlessly made his way through a Japanese mortar barrage and rejoined his platoon. By his personal bravery, daring initiative and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Private First Class Furman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.