The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Roy J. Pollock (MCSN: 343165), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands on 30 September 1944. Advancing over extremely difficult terrain, Corporal Pollock observed Japanese troops rolling a field piece into position in the mouth of a cave from which it could bring damaging fire to bear on his platoon. Cradling his machine gun in his arm, he quickly opened effective fire which killed the crew and holding other hostile forces at bay, prevented them from manning the gun until a shoulder mortar was brought forward and the enemy piece was destroyed. His quick action, courageous initiative and skill were contributing factors in saving the lives of many comrades and in inflicting several casualties on the enemy and reflect great credit upon Corporal Pollock and the United States Naval Service.