The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Harvel L. Moore (MCSN: 0-26432), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, 21 November 1943. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Second Lieutenant Moore heroically made his way through heavy Japanese rifle and machine-gun fire for a distance of fifty yards and rescued a wounded Marine who had been without aid for twenty-four hours. Second Lieutenant Moore’s extreme bravery and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in saving the life of his comrade were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.