The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Astle A. Ryder (MCSN: 0-1266), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while commanding a platoon of the First Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 7 August 1942. Leading his platoon in an attack on a Japanese emplacement, Second Lieutenant Ryder was severely wounded. Without regard for his injuries, he re-entered the action and destroyed three of the enemy who were directing concentrated machine-gun fire into the position occupied by his platoon, thereby materially assisting his command to advance and successfully complete its mission. Second Lieutenant Ryder’s dauntless courage and heroic leadership were an inspiration to his comrades and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.