The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Amor L. Sims (MCSN: 0-899), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal. Solomon Islands, from November 3 to 20, 1942. Although the personnel of his command were physically exhausted from previous hard fighting, Colonel Sims gallantly led his regiment into action against a large force of recently landed enemy troops on the north coast of Guadalcanal. Engaging the Japanese in a grueling series of hand-to-hand combats extending through a period of ten days, he succeeded with his men in driving them back across the Malimbiu and Metapons Rivers and eventually annihilating them in the vicinity of Tetere Village. Colonel Sims’ inspiring leadership under continuous fire contributed immeasurably to the completion of a vital mission and his courageous zeal throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.