The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Ernest T. Dobbins (MCSN: 274141), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Papangu, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on August 19, 1942. While in charge of a squad in a patrol of the First Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, engaged in a fire fight with an enemy patrol, Corporal Dobbins directed his men in a flanking movement which cut off the Japanese patrol and made possible its annihilation while enabling his own unit to maintain its security. His skillful leadership and outstanding devotion to duty reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.