The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Michael Sarro (MCSN: 442221), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 15 September 1944. When fire from a hostile pillbox inflicted casualties on our troops landing on the beach, Private First Class Sarro quickly volunteered to work his way to the danger area and the enemy installation. Locating the pillbox, he opened fire with his automatic weapon, jumped into the emplacement’s opening and destroyed the strong point, killing three of the enemy and capturing a heavy machine gun, thereby contributing materially to the successful landing of succeeding waves of our troops. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.