The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander B. Swenceski (MCSN: 0-5012), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Second Tank Battalion, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces prior to and during the assault on Betio, Gilbert Islands, from 18 February to 21 November 1943. An efficient leader and organizer, Lieutenant Colonel Swenceski planned and directed the training and employment of a medium tank company operating for the first time in the Pacific from a landing ship dock. Although severely wounded by an enemy shell while going ashore during the battle, he ordered combat troops to proceed forward and, making his way onto some wreckage, continued to exhort the wading troops until he became unconscious. Reviving during the night, he struggled to the beach to join his unit and was evacuated later that day after being severely wounded at daylight by enemy grenades. By his professional knowledge, courage under fire and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Swenceski contributed materially to the success of his Tank Battalion in this engagement and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.