The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Ralph J. Bencoach (MCSN: 316096), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Eighth Marines (Reinforced), during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 15 January 1943. At the height of an engagement west of Point Cruz, Private First Class Bencoach, with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, voluntarily exposed himself to heavy fire from hostile rifles, mortars and machine guns in order to reach the side of a fellow comrade. Calmly rendering first aid, he then removed the injured man from his dangerous position to a point from which he could be safely evacuated. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.