The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joseph J. Searson, Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit, for gallantry in action in New Guinea on 4 July 1944. When an advanced base was needed for the location of important signal equipment, it was necessary to send a patrol to determine whether the area desired was occupied by the enemy. Captain Searson volunteered to act as interpreter and to control the native scouts on the reconnaissance patrol sent to Tarawa Island, north of But, New Guinea. When the group, consisting of six men, landed at dawn, it encountered about 20 enemy troops and engaged in a fire fight with them. Although his mission with the patrol was as interpreter only, he took a prominent part in the combat action and assisted in making a safe withdrawal to a waiting PT Boat. Through his gallantry in volunteering to accompany the patrol on a hazardous mission and his courage in combat with the enemy, Captain Searson contributed much to the securing of vital operational intelligence.