The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Wilbur C. Conley (MCSN: 0-22594), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as leader of a seven man patrol of the First Battalion, Eighth Marines (Reinforced) during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on 16 – 17 January 1943. After the advance of our forces had been held up for several weeks by nine Japanese pill boxes dug into the sides of a deep ravine, First Sergeant Conley, having located the hostile obstruction launched a bold attack in the face of furious machine gun fire and destroyed two of the pill boxes by means of hand grenades. Although eventually compelled to withdraw he led a combat patrol against the same position the following day, this time smashing the remainder of enemy resistance and clearing way for the advance of our forces. His heroic leadership, maintained with utter disregard for personal safety was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.