The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Michael Zombar (MCSN: 333379), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of the Control Team of a Heavy Mortar Platoon of Headquarters Company, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 17 September 1944. When hostile forces strongly entrenched in concealed caves and pillboxes fired on the rear of our assault troops during an advance in this area, Private First Class Zombar unhesitatingly rushed the enemy gun and killed the crew with a knife in furious hand-to-hand combat. While returning to his gun position after guiding a wire-control team to the front lines later in the day, he noticed a Marine who had sustained wounds during an intense exchange of rifle and machine-gun fire and, courageously moving to the casualty under heavy fire, carried him across four-hundred yards of open terrain in the face of mortar and machine-gun fire to the safety of an aid station. By his boldness, daring initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Zombar upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.