The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) (Posthumously) to Corporal Berent Louis Larson (MCSN: 468707), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for gallantry in action at Vuru Village, Vangunu, Solomon Islands, on 1 July 1943. Separated from his platoon during an attack, he jeopardized his own security and sacrificed his life to operate a machine gun alone all night and protect a man who was pinned down by enemy fire. Although he could have exercised easily and safely his privilege of withdrawing with honor to find his unit, he refused to leave until he could take his comrade with him. While both were attempting a withdrawal, Corporal Larson was wounded fatally.