The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Hugh Davidson Leidel (MCSN: 0-8977), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while attached in the Eight Marines, Reinforced, in combat against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from 23 to 25 November 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Second Lieutenant Leidel, on numerous occasions, led his men up over an extremely dangerous ridge in the face of heavy Japanese machine-gun fire, and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. By his outstanding bravery and indomitable fighting spirit, he inspired Marines throughout his Battalion with a desire to accompany him on these hazardous missions. During the last patrol under his charge, Second Lieutenant Leidel, although wounded, successfully attacked a hostile position, using captured hand grenades against the enemy, and seized a flag and valuable notebooks from Japanese who had been killed in foxholes along the line of his withdrawal. His aggressive and heroic leadership was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.