The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Burt H. Dreyer (MCSN: 0-18756), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Quartermaster of the Second Parachute Battalion, First Parachute Regiment, First Marine Amphibious Corps, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, 1 October 1943. Immediately following two direct bomb hits and two strafing attacks on the LST in which he was in charge of unloading, First Lieutenant Dreyer courageously rallied a group of Marines and led them into the burning vessel to rescue the wounded. His intrepid leadership and valiant actions were important factors in saving the lives of twenty-one wounded men who might otherwise have been killed by exploding gasoline and ammunition. His gallant devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Dreyer and the United States Naval Service.