The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Methodius C. Cecka (MCSN: 360301), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 7 August 1942. Observing that his squad leader was wounded and unable to carry on the fight, Private Cecka, although he had been injured in the hand and had continued firing his automatic rifle until wounded again in the right arm, caught up a captured Japanese pistol and assumed command of his squad. Until finally ordered by his platoon commander to leave the action, he directed the advance of his squad to the assigned objective. His resolute determination and indomitable courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.