The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Seldon W. Combs (MCSN: 280802), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Officer in Charge of the point with a Combat Patrol of Company D, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division against the enemy Japanese forces in the Eleanora Bay Area, New Britain on 16 March 1944. Although seriously wounded in the initial engagement with the enemy Sergeant Combs unhesitatingly moved forward in an effort to divert hostile fire to himself thereby making possible the safe deployment of the remainder of the patrol and disregarding all personal danger as he advanced toward the enemy, succeeded in disorganizing the hostile force and inflicting many casualties among the Japanese before he was killed. Sergeant Comb’s initiative and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.