The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas E. Shanahan (MCSN: 355939), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy-held Peleliu, Palau Islands, 17 September 1944. Although painfully wounded while leading his squad in an assault against enemy pillboxes, Corporal Shanahan continued to control the fire of his squad under intense hostile machine-gun and rifle fire and enabled his platoon to overrun a strongly entrenched enemy with a minimum of casualties. Refusing evacuation, he again led his squad in support of a tank in the assault on other hostile positions. Wounded in the head while directing the fire of the tank, he again refused to be evacuated and continued to direct the fire of his squad until the enemy’s position was destroyed. He was then ordered to return to the aid station by his Company Commander. His outstanding courage, determination and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.