The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Peter J. McFarland, Jr. (MCSN: 351030), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on December 28, 1943. Dispatched as a scout by the Battalion Intelligence Officer to locate the left assault company when it lost contact with the right assault company, Corporal McFarland skillfully crawled out of the range of severe enemy fire which was pinning him down and, through his unflinching courage and disregard for personal safety, succeeded in locating the separated group and enabled them to reach the right assault forces. Upon returning to the rear command post, he heroically made his way along the beach under withering enemy machine-gun and sniper fire and carefully directed an amphibian tractor into advantageous position for expeditiously unloading urgently needed ammunition. Corporal McFarland’s daring initiative and valorous devotion to duty in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.