The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant Harry F. Erickson (MCSN: 270829), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 9 July 1943. Personally manning a gun whose crew members had been pinned down by enemy fire Gunnery Sergeant Erickson aggressively maneuvered it into a position from which he disposed of an enemy machine gun and killed its entire crew. As a result of this courageous action he enabled friendly troops to continue their advance on the objective. In so doing Gunnery Sergeant Erickson sacrificed his life.