The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Eugene A. O’Connor (MCSN: 197767), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity aboard the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8) while that vessel was under tremendous aerial attack be enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. Although seriously wounded by an exploding bomb and unable to walk, Gunnery Sergeant O’Connor, with utter disregard for his injured condition, directed the repair of his badly crippled battery and effectively controlled the fire of his undamaged guns throughout the duration of the action. His heroic conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.