The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Marvin D. Perskie (MCSN: 0-17336), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 20 May 1945. When a mortar ammunition dump was set afire by enemy artillery, First Lieutenant Perskie rushed into the blazing ammunition and proceeded to carry the burning cases to a nearby shell crater where the explosions would not injure any of the men. Later in the day when his company suffered heavy casualties and was held up by withering hostile machine gun and mortar fire, he skillfully reorganized the company, led an attack on heavily fortified Japanese positions and braving intense hostile fire, moved among the platoon directing their movements until the objective had been take and heavy losses inflicted upon the enemy. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.