The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Linoard M. Batten (MCSN: 293748), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces while on a reconnaissance patrol in the Matanikau River Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 25 October 1942. When his unit was ambushed and attacked by a numerically superior Japanese force, Corporal Batten, in charge of a squad of eight men, with grim determination and loyal devotion to duty, successfully covered the withdrawal of the remainder of the patrol. After the main body of the patrol had reached the cover of the woods, he withdrew his squad and skillfully led them through the jungle safely back to their organization. His courageous and efficient leadership in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.