The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas W. Dussault (MCSN: 342973), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Regimental Intelligence Observer of the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Tenaru Sector, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 21 August 1942. By his accurate and timely observation and report of enemy activity, Corporal Dussault rendered valuable service until the communication wire from his station to the Command Post had been severed. Promptly taking a position on the front lines, he engaged the enemy in furious hand-to-hand combat and aided effectively in driving back the enemy with great losses and in preventing them from establishing a foothold on the western side of the Tenaru River. Although wounded during the action, Corporal Dussault continued to hold his position in spite of intense opposition throughout the Japanese attacks.