The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Furman Middleton, Jr. (MCSN: 349899), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Second Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces near Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 27 September 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Private Middleton, in the face of heavy machine gun, rifle and mortar fire, manned an automatic rifle and valiantly covered the withdrawal of his Company, inflicting severe losses on the enemy. His fearless devotion to duty and great courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.