The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joseph E. Hartley (MCSN: 290123), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity aboard the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), while that vessel was under tremendous aerial attack by enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. Although gravely wounded by an exploding bomb, Sergeant Hartley, despite acute pain and waning strength, remained at his battle station to control and direct the fire of his battery. When eventually removed to a dressing station, he refused to submit to first aid treatment until all of the other injured men had been attended. His heroic conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.