The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harold J. Markle (MCSN: 491890), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, 1 February 1944. Constantly and fearlessly exposing himself to heavy hostile machine-gun fire, Private First Class Markle carefully scouted enemy positions for a period of two hours to obtain information vital to the advance of his platoon. A short time thereafter, while his comrades were digging in, he gained additional important information which enabled his platoon leader to repulse a dangerous flanking movement and, coolly aggressive in the face of great danger, shot approximately sixteen of the Japanese. His exceptional fighting skill, outstanding courage under fire and untiring devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Markle and the United States Naval Service.