The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Edward H. Pesely (MCSN: 0-16587), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a platoon leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-second Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands from 21 July to 10 August 1944. When his platoon was ordered into the front lines for a battalion assault on 26 July, First Lieutenant Pesely personally assumed the foremost position in his platoon and boldly led his men through difficult terrain and enemy mine fields against the strong defended hostile positions. Undaunted by the merciless cross fire of friendly artillery units engaged in fierce combat against the camouflaged enemy, be repeatedly exposed himself to the blast of heavy caliber weapons to make a personal report of the situation to a forward Command Post. By his aggressive initiative, leadership and unfaltering courage, First Lieutenant Pesely contributed essentially to the coordination of supporting weapons and to silencing the enemy’s guns. His heroic conduct, cool judgment and zealous devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.