The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Alva R. Perry, Jr. (MCSN: 531812), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 6 July 1944. With his company undergoing a severe enemy counter attack, Private First Class Perry fearlessly rose to his feet and walked forward firing this automatic rifle personally accounting for twenty-seven Japanese soldiers and setting heroic examples for the balance of the platoon who moved up behind him and broke the enemy counter attack. His initiative, inspiring gallantry and disregard for his own safety reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Perry and the United States Naval Service.