Harold Loyd Christian

Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 00422
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harold L. Christian (MCSN: 410622), 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 force on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 16 September 1944.
At the height of a strong Japanese counterattack against his position on the eastern side of the airstrip, Private First Class Christian took the Browning automatic rifle of a friend who had been sent to the rear for hand grenades and proceeded to deliver fire on the enemy. Fearlessly exposing himself to intense mortar, machine gun and rifle fire in order to operate this weapon more effectively, he succeeded in annihilating at least twenty hostile troops. Continuing to use the weapon efficiently throughout the remainder of the campaign, Private First Class Christian, by his skill, initiative and courageous devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.