The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Karl M. Cheney (MCSN: 348628), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese forces while serving as a gunner with an anti-aircraft detachment of the Ninth Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, protecting Zanana Beach, New Georgia Island, Solomon Islands, on July 8, 1943. Despite extremely difficult conditions imposed by almost impenetrable jungle undergrowth, Private First Class Cheney unhesitatingly volunteered to accompany a patrol on a hazardous assignment to clear an adjacent area of an unknown number of Japanese who were endangering personnel and vital installations on the only American beachhead. In the action following contact with hostile forces, he contributed materially to the success of his patrol in destroying or capturing five of the enemy. Private First Class Cheney’s heroic conduct and outstanding devotion to duty throughout this missing were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.