The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joe A. Gayle (MCSN: 0-10644), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 17 September 1944. Leading an attack against a strategically important enemy position on the crest of nearly perpendicular cliffs, Captain Gayle was knocked by the concussion of a hostile artillery shell which burst in his immediate vicinity and, recovering himself immediately, boldly continued his advance along the crest of the ridge. Unable to establish communications with a supporting tank by other means, he exposed himself to intense hostile machine-gun and rifle fire in order to gain contact and, while thus engaged was seriously wounded. His tactical knowledge and skillful leadership were contributing factors in the successful advance made by his Battalion. His courageous devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflects great credit on Captain Gayle and the United States Naval Service.