The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Stanley B. Pollard, Jr. (MCSN: 0-16369), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as artillery observer attached to the Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division during the battle of Piva Forks, Bougainville Islands, Solomon Islands on November 24, 1943. Grimly aware that his previous three days of constant patrolling alone within enemy lines has given him valuable information concerning Japanese positions, First Lieutenant Pollard, although seriously ill from malaria when the attack became imminent, refused to be evacuated to the field hospital. Courageously taking his station in the front lines on the morning of the assault he remained steadfast at this post, conducting artillery fire which resulted in the destruction of numerous hostile fortified positions. In spite of being detected by the enemy, he bravely carried on until hunted down and killed by a Japanese patrol. First Lieutenant Pollard’s valiant devotion to duty in the face of grave peril contributed to saving the lives of many of the battalion and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.