The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Homer L. Owens (MCSN: 264822), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while a member of Company K, Third battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 3 November 1942. When the advance of his company was held up by close range fire during our assault on hostile positions at Guadalcanal, Sergeant Owens rushed forward with two other Marines to capture a 37-mm.. Gun. Under tremendous hostile shelling, he succeeded in destroying the gun crew and putting the weapon out of action, thereby permitting the remainder of his company to complete its objective without undue losses. His heroic conduct, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.