The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Master Gunnery Sergeant Anthony J. Palonis, Jr. (MCSN: 290856), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands in aggressively assuming command when his platoon leader was killed, with such skill that several strong Japanese positions were destroyed and during which he attempted the rescue of two wounded Marines at the cost of a serous wound to himself on 20 July 1943.