The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William H. J. Stover (MCSN: 358927), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on November 3, 1942. During an offensive action in the area of the Matanikau River, Private First Class Stover capably performed his duties as ammunition carrier in a 60-mm.. squad of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, until the situation no longer warranted mortar fire. As the riflemen closed in with the enemy and suffered a number of casualties, he proceeded, unhesitatingly and on his own initiative, to bring his wounded comrades off the firing line to a point where they might safely receive medical aid. His unselfish courage in braving heavy fire from hostile machine guns, rifles and hand grenades undoubtedly saved the lives of comrades who otherwise might have perished.