The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Robert Joseph Hilsky (MCSN: 372113), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a member of while a member of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action during motion against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 27 August 1942. When casualties sustained by the second platoon of his company were left in a helpless plight out front, Private Hilsky, with courageous disregard for his own personal safety, ran a deadly gauntlet of heavy mortar, machinegun and sniper fire in order to rescue a wounded comrade. Although, during his advance, he was stunned by concussion from an exploding shell, he carried on with unwavering determination until he succeeded in the accomplishment of his mission. His conspicuous initiative in saving he life of another at the risk of his own was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.