The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Maynard C. Conner (MCSN: 0-6555), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company D, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville, Solomon Islands on 7 November 1943. When his machine gunners were having difficulty coordinating their fire and his mortar crews were unable to discover suitable targets because of poor visibility, Major Conner advanced beyond his own lines and in the face of intense rifle and machine gun fire located several mortar targets and calculated azimuths for laying the machine guns in order to deliver effective fire. Returning to his company he sighted the guns, thereby enabling his men to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy and to contribute directly to the success of the infantry’s attack. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Major Conner and the United States Naval Service.