The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class James Wilson Miller (MCSN: 364078), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy-held Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 September 1944. Serving as gunner of a machine gun squad of his unit, Private First Class Miller assisted in repulsing three hostile counterattacks during the night. When the enemy’s attack carried them into his position on one occasion, he courageously stood his ground and, when flanked by the hostile forces, picked u the gun, tripod and belt, and fired from the hip on the flanking enemy forces. Although continuously exposed to heavy hostile machine-gun and rifle fire during this time, he accounted for at least thirty enemy dead, including five officers. His outstanding courage, fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.