The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Paul E. Schumacher (MCSN: 0-28529), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company C, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 27 September 1944. When the two assault platoons which he was supporting were pinned down by heavy small-arms fire, Second Lieutenant Schumacher dismounted from his tank in full view of the enemy. Despite continuous hostile sniper fire, he made a reconnaissance in advance of our lines to determine the location of a well-concealed enemy position. Although wounded, he returned to his tank and led his unit to firing positions, directing accurate fire on the target, thereby greatly reducing Japanese opposition. He then furnished cover to corpsmen attempting to evacuate several wounded Marines from a rear area of the tank. Following this, he withdrew his tanks to new positions from which he completely silenced all resistance and, when wounded a second time was evacuated. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty contributed to the success of the tank-infantry and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.