The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Martin R. Freeman (MCSN: 0-10032), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to a company in the First Battalion, Sixth Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Mamara River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 26 January 1943. When a patrol in front of his company line was subjected to intense enemy cross machine-gun fire which inflicted severe casualties on the patrol and pinned it down, Second Lieutenant Freeman, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, left the company Command Post in response to a call from the patrol for aid and moved forward through concentrated sniper fire to a point where he could assist members of the harassed patrol. In the face of continued heavy enemy fire, he rendered invaluable aid to the seriously wounded until his upper left arm was shattered by a bullet. Despite the severity of the injury, he returned to his Command Post and reported the enemy situation thereby furnishing vital information which enabled the company commander to take positive action and undoubtedly saved the lives of many of the patrol. Second Lieutenant Freeman’s indomitable courage and valiant devotion to duty under extremely adverse conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.