The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Milton C. Pratt (MCSN: 284561), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on September 14, 1942. Upon reaching the first area of hostile resistance after volunteering to act as the point of a nine man patrol endeavoring to discover the location and strength of enemy troops in the vicinity, Corporal Pratt unhesitatingly continued in advance of the patrol in order to draw the fire of the Japanese and force them to disclose their positions. Although he was instantly killed by the first stream of enemy machine gun fire, his comrades were enabled to attack so effectively that the Japanese were destroyed or driven from their positions before the arrival of reinforcements for the patrol. Corporal Pratt’s brilliant initiative and valiant devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were responsible for the success of this vital mission and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.