The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Rudolph E. Fanska (MCSN: 820130), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, May 2, 1945. Realizing that two secret weapons dropped by a wounded comrade must not fall into enemy possession, Sergeant Fanska worked his way down a high, steep ridge, braving hostile small-arms fire for three hundred yards, to recover the valuable items and insure their safe return to the company. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.