The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Orin Croft (MCSN: 345331), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity n action while serving with the Second Marine Raider Battalion during operations against enemy Japanese forces at Mambula, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on 4 December 1942. When his squad, acting as point, was ambushed by the enemy, Corporal Croft fearlessly led his group against a Japanese machine gun and with utter disregard for his own personal safety exposed himself in an effort to draw the enemy’s fire so that other members of his squad could neutralize the weapon. After one of his men was wounded he took the man’s automatic rifle and charging the Japanese position himself knocked out the gun. His indomitable fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.