The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harry A. Grimes (MCSN: 846792), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine gunner in an Assault Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 16 September 1944. Assuming a post as a gunner of a captured Japanese machine gun located at a control point on our lines, Private First Class Grimes inflicted heavy casualties on the on-charging enemy during three Japanese counterattacks waged over a forty-eight hour period. Although twice wounded by shrapnel, he refused evacuation and remained at his post until the last enemy had been killed and he was ordered to the rear for medical attention. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Grimes and the United States Naval Service.