The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joseph J. Cianci (MCSN: 294344), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Second Marine Raider Battalion during operations against enemy Japanese forces near Binu, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on November 11, 1942. Caught in an open field when the point of his company engaged the Japanese at the edge of a wood. Sergeant Cianci, commanding a 60-mm. mortar section courageously fought his mortars in the face of severe hostile fire and although forced to move his section eighteen times while firing twenty-two rounds, his accurate and deadly aim had a telling effect on the enemy. By his skillful leadership and excellent judgment he not only sided in the withdrawal of his company to a covered position, but saved the members of his section from suffering a single casualty. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.