The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John A. Pollice (MCSN: 519225), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a runner of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands on 15 September 1944. Seriously wounded while carrying a vital message through intense enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire, Private First Class Pollice disregarding his critical condition, continued on this way and succeeded in delivering the message. Refusing to be evacuated, he remained for six continuous hours with his platoon which was out of communication with the company and despite a constant barrage of hostile fire rendered gallant service by carrying important messages to and from the command post. By his heroic conduct and unfaltering endurance, Private First Class Pollice contributed essentially to the completion of a vital mission and his steadfast devotion to duty at great risk to his own life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.