The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Donald L. Mallory (MCSN: 0-14721), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 and 16 September 1944. Although wounded while leading an assault across the southern edge of an airstrip, First Lieutenant Mallory steadfastly refused to be evacuated and, returning to the foremost elements of his company, gallantly led an attack which forced the enemy back another three hundred yards before dark. Throughout the night, and with the Japanese launching almost continuous counterattacks, he personally supervised his men from a position in the midst of the bitter fighting. On the following morning, when his tank-infantry attack was temporarily broken up by direct fire from hostile artillery, he boldly joined the forward elements of the company to coordinate their efforts and encourage them to hold their ground until supporting counter-battery fire could be brought to bear on the enemy weapons. During this action, he was again wounded and had to be evacuated. By his fortitude, aggressive fighting spirit and unselfish devotion to duty throughout, First Lieutenant Mallory upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.