The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Carl E. Magnuson (MCSN: 282853), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a rifle grenadier of a rifle squad attached to the Third Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 20, 1943. Seriously wounded as he landed on the Japanese beachhead in the face of devastating hostile shellfire, Private First Class Magnuson daringly attacked an enemy tank which was inflicting heavy casualties on our troops and obstructing their advance. Despite intense pain from a second injury received during the fierce action, he courageously continued his assault but was again wounded before finally silencing the hostile weapon. Private First Class Magnuson’s great personal valor, cool initiative under fire and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of grave peril contributed materially to the success of our forces in that area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.