The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Ernest A. Grausgruber (MCSN: 340466), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during combat against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 28 September 1942. In the face of Japanese rifle and machine-gun fire and without supporting fire from his comrades, Private Grausgruber waded across the Matanikau River and upon reaching the opposite shore, worked his way forward and with exceptional coolness and daring, threw hand grenades into enemy-occupied trenches, returning to his base with vital information concerning disposition of hostile forces. His brave defiance of danger and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.