The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Leonard G. Lawton (MCSN: 0-8801), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands for the period from 31 October to 3 November 1942. During the offensive action of his Battalion, First Lieutenant Lawton displayed superb tactical skill in the handling of his company, both in the approach to and during contact with the Japanese. Ordered to move his company from its position on the left of the regimental assault line in order to cut off a hostile Battalion which was holding up the right flank of his regiment, he maneuvered into position, cut the enemy’s communication lines and secured the break by setting up a back-to-back defense on a two-hundred-yard front. When the Japanese, as a result, launched a strong counterattack from both east and west, First Lieutenant Lawton’s company, with the aid of artillery and machine gun fire, successfully repulsed the assault and maintained its position until relieved. His outstanding leadership and courageous aggressiveness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.