The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert W. Nelson (MCSN: 300665), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while a member of the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 29 August 1942. When fires were started in the regimental munitions dump, Staff Sergeant Nelson unhesitatingly and with utter disregard of flying shell fragments from exploding ammunition, approached dangerously close in order to assist in fighting and controlling fires. His courageous action in a critical situation was instrumental in reducing to a minimum the damages inflicted by the enemy, and in saving much valuable equipment and badly needed ammunition.