The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Marine Gunner Edward S. Rust (MCSN: 228235), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 26 September 1942. Under heavy fire from hostile machine guns and rifles, Marine Gunner Rust crossed an open beach near the mouth of the Matanikau River and swam a distance of over five hundred yards to reach a boat sent out by a United States Navy destroyer so that he might be taken aboard that ship to direct gunfire against Japanese shore positions. His courageous initiative and complete disregard of personal safety resulted in the infliction of heavy losses upon the enemy and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.