The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Machinist’s Mate Second Class Aurelio Tassone, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Naval Construction Battalion during and following the initial landing by Allied forces on the Treasury Islands, British Solomon Islands, on 27 October 1943. When a Japanese pillbox became very active causing casualties and impeding unloading Operations, Machinist’s Mate Second Class Tassone, who was operating a bulldozer, was ordered to silence it. Without delay or hesitation he raised the blade and moved forward against the pillbox. At the signal from his officers in charge he dropped the blade and effectively silenced the position and annihilated twelve of the enemy entrenched therein. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.