The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Lyle Q. Petersen (MCSN: 0-8866), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands from 21 to 25 July 1944. During the battle for Fonte Hill when his company was subjected to withering enemy mortar and machine gun fire while working their way up a bare rocky cliff to their objective, Captain Petersen fearlessly exposed himself to hostile attack in order to lead his company up the precipice, honeycombed with Japanese held caves and across one hundred yards of bare slope, persisting in his determined leadership until mortally wounded by a nambu machine gun. Captain Petersen’s skillful coordination of tanks and infantry was instrumental in enabling the battalion to secure its objective in a critical phase of the battle and his aggressive leadership and sound, tactical employment of troops materially aided his company in securing their objective with a minimum loss of personnel. His daring courage throughout the hazardous action and his unfaltering devotion to duty reflect great credit upon Captain Petersen and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.