The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class David A. Stokes (MCSN: 305489), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, October 8, 1942. In the midst of tremendous fire from hostile machine guns and mortars, Private First Class Stokes, with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, carried a wounded comrade out of the danger area to a place of comparative safety. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in saving the life of another at great risk to his own was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.