The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Private First Class Arthur L. Holmes (MCSN: 311849), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action on December 26, 1942 on Guadalcanal. Private First Class Holmes, a member of an artillery observation party of Marines supporting infantry of the Army, was pinned to the ground, with others, by machine gun and rifle fire while accompanying advance infantry elements to obtain observation well forward. Stretcher bearers were also brought under fire. Private First Class Holmes and two others voluntarily and in complete disregard of their own safety succeeded in evacuating the wounded man.