The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Marvin D. Girardeau (ASN: 0-174820), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in at New Georgia, Solomon Islands. While commanding a task force he aggressively directed and supervised the formation of the lines of his infantry companies while under intense small arms fire in effectively repulsing the enemy and inflicting thirty casualties with only three of his command being wounded on 8 July 1943. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.