The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Harry E. Dickinson (MCSN: 0-14376), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to Battery D, First Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, from 21 to 23 November 1943. Constantly exposing himself to shattering machine-gun, mortar and sniper fire while acting as a Forward Observer for advancing front line units, First Lieutenant Dickinson labored tirelessly and with superb skill to direct the fires of his artillery battalion, carrying on valiantly for a period of two days and nights of bitter offensive action, often in advance of our assaulting forces. With approaches to his position under constant shellfire and two members of his party casualties, he requested that relief not be sent and further lives endangered. By his daring initiative, great personal valor and cool and courageous action in the face of tremendous odds, First Lieutenant Dickinson contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this vital hostile stronghold and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.