The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Theodore W. Marshall, United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving with the Patrol Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VP-21), during the Japanese aerial attack on Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Lieutenant Marshall commandeered a truck and made repeated trips ferrying personnel to battle stations, although his vehicle was struck countless times by bomb fragments and machine gun bullets. Despite his total inexperience with land planes, he attempted to engage the invaders in a fighter plane but it was damaged in the take-off by Japanese fire. Lieutenant Marshall then rushed to a Torpedo Bomber, went into the air, and pursued the Japanese for 150 miles until a depleted fuel supply forced his return to the station. 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 Naval Service.