The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Patrick Perugino (MCSN: 803132), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 15 March 1945. After his 81-mm. mortar platoon could no longer deliver fire, Corporal Perugino voluntarily joined a rifle platoon as an automatic rifleman. Noting that the platoon’s advance was impeded by hostile machine gun fire, he attacked and destroyed the weapon and its crew thereby permitting his platoon to advance to a point where it was possible to seize its objective. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.