The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Daniel R. Nardico, Jr. (MCSN: 501357), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader in a Rifle Platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 2 May 1945. Holding positions with his squad along a strategic ridge during four fanatical attempts by the enemy to retake the hill, Sergeant Nardico rallied his men in the defense and accurate fire upon the Japanese, personally killing an enemy officer and ten attacking riflemen. By his skillful and courageous leadership in repulsing a desperate hostile counter-attack and annihilating a large number of the enemy, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.