The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Nat M. Pace (MCSN: 0-7168), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Fifteenth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 13 April 1945. Although ill with a fever and undergoing treatment in a nearby medical company when he learned that his Battalion was under fire, Majo Pace unhesitatingly returned to his Battalion area and I the face of intense mortar fire and exploding ammunition dumps in the area, calmly and efficiently succeeded in moving his men and equipment to an alternate firing position. By his initiative and courageous devotion to duty in the face of grave peril he was undoubtedly responsible for saving the lives of many men and for the prevention of a serious loss of equipment thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.