The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Newell Thorpe Berg (MCSN: 0-15399), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to Company B, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 23 November 1943. Dispatched to lead a group of men to the destruction of enemy blockhouses, First Lieutenant Berg fearlessly risked his life to carry out his perilous assignment and, working tirelessly and with daring aggressiveness under the enemy’s incessant shellfire, personally placed demolitions in several Japanese fortifications. Seriously wounded while placing a Bangalore Torpedo in a hostile pillbox later that same day, he carried on dauntlessly, completely destroying the weapon and fulfilling his mission successfully. By his bold initiative, unwavering perseverance and cool and courageous action in the face of tremendous odds, First Lieutenant Berg contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this vital hostile stronghold, and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.