The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Andrew Peda (MCSN: 408508), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a fire group leader of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 21 February 1945. Shot in the arm by an enemy sniper while voluntarily going to the aid of his seriously wounded squad leader who was lying exposed to enemy fire, Corporal Peda continued his efforts to reach the helpless man and despite a second wound finally reached his leader and succeeded in dragging him to covered position before he himself collapsed. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.