The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert W. Burnette (MCSN: 0-8642), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as leader of Weapons Platoon, Company E, Second Marine Raider Battalion, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from 4 November to 4 December 1942. On 11 November while his company was engaged with numerically superior Japanese forces, First Lieutenant Burnette, despite terrific enemy fire, moved two machine guns to a strategic position in the front lines and directed their employment with devastating effect upon the enemy. By his exceptional courage, excellent judgment, and heroic devotion to duty, he contributed in a large part to the success of his battalion throughout this and subsequent engagements.