The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Walfried Halton Fromhold (MCSN: 0-4551), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of a Battalion Landing Team attached to the Twenty-Second Marines, Reinforced, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Engebi and Parry Islands, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, 22 February 1944. A skilled and fearless leader, Lieutenant Colonel Fromhold personally directed the operation of his assault units in forcing a landing against strongly defended enemy positions on these strategic islands. Quickly reorganizing his battalion after it had suffered heavy casualties in the initial landing on Parry Island, he pushed steadily inland to seize the assigned objective, thereby insuring the ultimate defeat of Japanese forces in this area. His daring initiative, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to the fulfillment of a hazardous mission reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Fromhold, his valiant command and the United States Naval Service.