The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Theodore Cogswell (MCSN: 337078), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a regimental Intelligence Observer of the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Tenaru Sector, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on August 21, 1942. By his accurate and timely observation and report of enemy activity, Corporal Cogswell rendered valuable services until the communication wire from his station to the Command Post had been severed. Promptly taking a position on the front lines he engaged the enemy in furious hand to hand combat and aided effectively in driving back the enemy with great losses and in preventing them from establishing a foothold on the western side of the Tenaru River. Although wounded during the action, Corporal Cogswell continued to hold his position in spite of intense opposition throughout the Japanese attack.