The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to First Lieutenant William R. Gleason (MCSN: 0-12699), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action in New Georgia, Solomon Islands, in maintaining his position in a native canoe with a light at the south of an anchorage to guide landing boats despite shells from enemy batteries which ranged on his light during the night of 4 – 5 July 1943.