The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Rudloph W. Halazon (MCSN: 360035), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company D, Second Battalion, Eighteenth Marines (Engineer) SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands on 22 November 1943. Valiantly leading a group of men to the front of a large Japanese concrete bombproof emplacement, Sergeant Halazon immediately deployed his unit for attack and skillfully conducting the fire of his flame throwers and riflemen, succeeded in driving the enemy from the entrance. Continuing his daring tactics he personally placed a large explosive in the dugout and directed his demolition men in hurling succeeding charges to drive the enemy into the interior of the bomb proof. His forceful and determined leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and unrelenting devotion to the completion of an extremely perilous mission were contributing factors in the success of our forces in overcoming all Japanese resistance in this vital war area and reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant Halazon and the United States Naval Service.