The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James Daniel Wade (MCSN: 801090), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau Group on 20 September 1944. With all members of his machine gun squad either killed or wounded during a savage fire fight, Private First Class Wade boldly set up his machine gun in a dangerously exposed position and manning the weapon with determined aggressiveness despite continuous fanatic opposition, maintained a steady stream of deadly fire on the Japanese force killing ten enemy soldiers and pinning down the remainder thereby enabling his platoon to effect successful reorganization with a minimum of casualties. Fighting furiously in the bitter engagement waged later in the day he was struck down by a burst of enemy fire and subsequently succumbed to his wounds. By his fearless initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Private First Class Wade contributed essentially to the success of our operations against this vital Japanese stronghold and his undaunted courage and decisive action throughout a period of bitter hostilities upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.