The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ray S. King (MCSN: 893891), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Scout in an Assault Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 September 1944. Moving against Japanese positions as the advance scout for his platoon, Private First Class King assaulted an enemy pillbox and was hit by machine-gun fire which pierced his helmet. Instantly charging the flank of the strong point, he shot an enemy rifleman and, again hit by enemy fire which pierced his cartridge belt, crawled to the rear exit of the pillbox and threw hand grenades into the opening, killing three of the enemy and forcing the others to flee. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class King and the United States Naval Service.