The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Harold W. Whitham (MCSN: 354023), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands on 15 September 1944. When intense hostile rifle fire from a wrecked Japanese plane stopped the advance of his machine gun squad across an airfield, Corporal Whitham made several unsuccessful attempts to annihilate the enemy by firing from covered positions. Changing tactics he boldly charges across the open airfield to the hostile aircraft and delivering damaging fire from his sub-machine gun succeeded in annihilating the occupants. His coolness under fire and courageous actions were contributing factors in preventing casualties in his squad and in permitting his unit to continue its advance. His exemplary devotion to duty reflects great credit on Corporal Whitham and the United States Naval Service.