The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Earl J. Stearns (MCSN: 0-11132), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company D, First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 22 November 1943. Skillfully directing the setting up of his platoon’s machine guns among the most forward elements of the assaulting force in order to gain striking superiority over enemy weapons firing relentlessly from positions then under attack, First Lieutenant Stearns daringly led his men in delivering withering, close-range barrages against the emplacements, completely neutralizing their fire and enabling men with TNT and grenades to close in and destroy the occupants. Fearlessly exposing himself to the enemy’s fierce resistance, he continued his same bold tactics, courageously moving his weapons into open positions and calmly and efficiently controlling their devastating shellfire throughout repeated assaults against a fanatic enemy. By his forceful and determined leadership, his dauntless perseverance and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, First Lieutenant Stearns contributed materially to the success of the operations and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.