The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Laurence F. Scudder (MCSN: 344770), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a member of Battery A, Third 155-mm, Artillery Battalion, Third Corps Artillery, Third Amphibious Corps, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Palau Islands, 18 September 1944. Selecting new gun positions and running a battery survey with reconnaissance party which was suddenly pinned down by enemy machine-gin fire, Corporal Scudder made three trips to administer first aid and to assist in removing wounded members of both infantry and artillery battalions from the line of fire. Helping to move a casualty to safety, he received a wound in the right foot and crawled unassisted to the rear. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.