The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Harold E. Rosecrans (MCSN: 0-846), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, Reinforced, during the assault on Tulagi Island, British Solomon Islands, 7 – 9 August 1942. When fierce resistance from this Japanese stronghold necessitated the reinforcement of the First Marine Raider Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Rosecrans skillfully and fearlessly placed units of his command into combat in support of the forward elements of that Battalion and thereby contributed materially to the annihilation of the entire hostile garrison. His daring and brilliant handling of this operation in support of the assault of the First Marine Raider Battalion on Tulagi and his courageous conduct throughout the action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.