The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Henry J. DeBoer (MCSN: 372002), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while a member of Company A, First Marine Raider Battalion, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of October 8, 1942. While the Marines were engaged in combat along the Matanikau River, Private First Class DeBoer, becoming separated from his squad during the hostile attack, voluntarily attached himself to another platoon where, armed with an automatic rifle, he calmly took the enemy under fire and killed at least ten Japanese. His heroic conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.