The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Olen J. Hollis, Jr. (MCSN: 324169), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Team Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands on 26 September 1944. Acting entirely on his own initiative when his fire team leader was wounded during an attack by his platoon on a strong Japanese emplacement, Private First Class Hollis immediately assumed command of the group. While the rest of the platoon was pinned down by hostile automatic weapons fire, he courageously led his team around the flank despite heavy enemy opposition and, crawling alone to the entrance of the emplacement, threw several hand grenades inside and halted the enemy fire. Courageously entering the emplacement to conduct a search after a flame thrower had been used against the position, Private First Class Hollis found the seven Japanese occupants had been killed. By his heroic conduct and daring initiative, he contributed materially to the success of the attack and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.