The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Wilbur J. Kreisler (MCSN: 292245), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Leader of a Demolition Team with an Infantry Platoon of Company A, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 September 1944. When his platoon was held up by heavy enemy fire from two well fortified emplacements, Private Kreisler went forward under the covering fire of his comrades and, in the face of intense enemy mortar, rifle and machine-gun fire, placed demolition charges on the pillboxes, completely demolishing the position and killing several of the enemy. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private Kreisler and the United States Naval Service.