The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Vito L. Murgolo (MCSN: 300548), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with a detachment of Marine Observation Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (VMO-251), against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 14, 1942. While his airfield was under shell-fire by the enemy and a raid expected at any moment, Sergeant Murgolo, realizing that several fighting planes had not been prepared for flight, voluntarily left his shelter, entered the shelled area, and started two of the aircraft. After taxiing the planes to the take-off spot in time for pilots to man them and meet the incoming enemy bombers, he then made unsuccessful attempts to start two additional planes. His initiative, skill, and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.