The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Donald W. Schiller (MCSN: 288294), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery H, Third Battalion Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. When the officer in charge of his naval gunfire party and a radio operator were seriously wounded during landing operations on D-Day, Corporal Schiller immediately assumed command and, dauntlessly continuing to the shore under the enemy’s concentrated shellfire for a distance of four hundred yards, succeeded in gaining the beachhead with his own as well as heavy signal lamp and radio equipment and immediately contacted the destroyer assigned to support his battalion. Without further instruction, he expeditiously laid a telephone wire to the furthermost front line position and, despite the fierce hostile resistance, delivered effective Naval gunfire requested by the Battalion Commander. With his team the only one of four equipped with radios to maintain contact with destroyers designated to his assault force, Corporal Schiller by his extraordinary ability and outstanding initiative in not only performing his own duties, but also those ordinarily assigned a commissioned officer, had contributed essentially to the success of the initial stages of a bitterly fought campaign against the enemy. His forceful and determined leadership, great personal valor and unwavering perseverance maintained throughout the fierce hostilities reflect the highest credit upon the Unites States Naval Service.