The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert D. Bloxham (MCSN: 335923), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. With units of his battalion pinned down o the shallow beachhead line by shattering hostile fire emanating from strongly fortified Japanese pillboxes, Private First Class Bloxham, as the only rifleman in the area, boldly charged forward and assisted in the destruction of four of the emplacements with well-placed anti-tank grenade fire. Undaunted by the enemy’s shattering machine gun and rifle fire, he fearlessly maintained his exposed position to launch repeated, determined attacks against the fanatic Japanese, neutralizing their fire sufficiently to enable riflemen to close in and complete their destruction. With his supply of ammunition exhausted, he voluntarily moved up and down the fire-swept beachhead to retrieve grenades from casualties in his determined effort to wipe out the bitter hostile resistance. By his daring initiative, valiant fighting spirit and unwavering perseverance maintained throughout the fierce hostilities, Private First Class Bloxham 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.