The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Mack Powell (MCSN: 347332), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while a member of Company B, First Service Battalion, FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on the night of October 13, 1942. While the area occupied by a torpedo squadron was under terrific bombardment by hostile warships, Corporal Powell, in order to evacuate personnel trapped in exposed shell holes volunteered to drive a truck out of the danger zone. With thirty-five men loaded in the vehicle he picked up twenty-five more from a scout squadron and three near a hospital. Farther on when a shell struck close to the truck stopping the engine and throwing him to the ground he quickly arose, started the engine again and safely conducted his comrades to shelters along the beach. Since the area behind him, was subsequently devastated by enemy fire, Corporal Powell, by his courageous initiative, undoubtedly save the lives of many men who otherwise might have been killed.