The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Robert B. Ettenborough (MCSN: 243140), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Parachute Regiment during action against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 9 December 1941. While leading one of the squads of his platoon into position, Gunnery Sergeant Ettenborough, with cool courage and complete disregard for his own personal safety, repeatedly exposed himself to heavy fire from hostile snipers and machine-gun emplacements in order to maintain control of his men in the dense underbrush. When his squad was finally pinned down by enemy fire, he boldly advanced to a point within dangerous proximity to Japanese positions and silenced two machine guns with hand grenades, thereby enabling his squad to accomplish its mission. His inspiring leadership and heroic aggressiveness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.