The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Israel Aronovitz (MCSN: 404869), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese forces while serving with the SECOND Marine Division on Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 21 November 1943. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he carried his pack howitzer forward to the limit of the beachhead, there assembled it under enemy fire. He destroyed by direct fire a pillbox sheltering an enemy anti-boat gun which was causing heavy casualties among reinforcements landing on the beach. The entire section remained in this exposed position under close sniper fire, until the mission had been accomplished. His heroic conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.