The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Neal R. Church (MCSN: 305428), 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 Sergeant Church 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. Upon contacting the enemy, he killed one man and wounded another while affecting his capture. Sergeant Church’s heroic conduct and outstanding devotion to duty throughout this mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.