The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Kenneth E. Oswald (MCSN: 266060), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action during an engagement with enemy Japanese forces at the mouth of the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 8 October 1942. Surrounded and vastly outnumbered by determined enemy forces, Corporal Oswald and five of his comrades fought desperately to hold their positions. Refusing to be dislodged from his defensive position, he finally succeeded in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy attempting to cross the river. His great courage and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.