The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Sumner G. Stewart (MCSN: 350054), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Cape Torokina Area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on December 24, 1943. Courageously penetrating deep into enemy-infested territory while serving as scout for a reconnaissance patrol, Corporal Stewart skillfully effected a thorough investigation, gathering valuable information on numerous Japanese positions discovered by his patrol. When his party became pinned down by intense hostile machine-gun, grenade and rifle fire in an enemy bivouac area, he unhesitatingly advanced to within a few yards of a hostile gun emplacement and, with two comrades, fiercely attacked and killed all seven Japanese occupants, enabling his patrol to extricate itself from the perilous position. Subsequently preceding his men in the hazardous return to our front lines, Corporal Stewart fearlessly broke the trail through difficult swamp terrain and brought the others safe to their destination. His daring initiative and resolute devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.